Fort Worth, Texas-Area Retailers Promote Sales-Tax Holiday.

Byline: April Marciszewski

Aug. 1--In preparation for the fourth annual Texas sales tax holiday before school starts signs were put up inside the entrances at Hulen Mall.

Texans can save by buying their back-to-school clothing this weekend, but the fourth annual sales-tax holiday might not be a boon to retailers or the state.

The state will waive its 8.25 percent sales tax Friday through Sunday on most clothing, including such items as diapers, uniforms, jeans and shorts.

Last year, August clothing sales in Texas grew a modest 1.2 percent, or about $13.6 million. And James LeBas, the state's chief revenue estimator, expects the month's sales to post about the same kind of increase this year.

"Consumers tend to be pretty rational about their purchases," LeBas said. "They don't spike up when things are good or bottom out when things are slow. The sales tax holiday is always going to appeal to the basic, rational needs of people."

Anne Fay, North East Mall general manager, said she expects sales to be about the same as past years for the sales-tax holiday.