During The Critical Holiday Selling Season, Retail Performance In The Tri Cities In The Fourth Quarter Of 2009 Was Slightly Better Than The Year Before. According To The Tri Cities Retail Sales Report, The Decline In Retailing Seems To Be Moderating. East Tennessee State University Economist Dr. Step Hipple Says That Is The First Step To An Economic Recovery. In The Fourth Quarter, Retail Sales Declined In Tennessee As Well As In All The Tri Cities. Bristol Saw The Largest Drop With Dollar Sales Falling 10.9 Percent. Johnson City’s Dropped 3.5 Percent, While Kingsport Fell Five Percent. During The October To December Period, Retail Sales In The Tri Cities Fell 3.6 Percent. Hipple Believes Retail Conditions Should Be Improving In Both The Tri Cities And The State By The Summer Months.