The Cold Winter Didn’t Slow Retail Sales In The Tri Cities. Retail Sales Increased In Bristol, Kingsport, And Johnson City In The First Quarter Of 2015. According To A Report From The East Tennessee State University’s Bureau Of Business Standards, Bristol Sales Were Higher By 4.4 Percent, Kingsport Sales Rose 4.4 Percent, And Johnson City Sales Were Up Two Percent. All Told, Dollar Sales In The Tri Cities Rose 2.7 Percent To 1.6 Billion Dollars.