WBRZ - Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE - Retail spending in East Baton Rouge Parish rose 13 percent in May, according to figures the city-parish Finance Department.

The Advocate reports consumers and businesses spent $700 million in May, compared to $617.1 million in the same month of 2011. The figures do not include vehicle sales.

Mayor-President Kip Holden's office said spending got a boost from the two-day Bayou Country Superfest and the five-month bowling tournament.

For the year, retail spending in the parish is up 9 percent to $3.31 billion.