Retail sales for May 2007 increased by $5.4 million from the same period last year, while the number of cases of liquor sold totaled more than 193,700, an increase of nearly 11 percent.

Profits in 2006 were up 8 percent over the $38 million generated in 2005.

State officials attributed the increases to population growth and a good economy.

"When people feel like they can afford to, they tend to buy more expensive, higher-quality products," said Sharon Mackay, spokeswoman for the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. "And the economy is certainly good."

Retail sales for May 2007 totaled nearly $21.2 million. Taxes and revenue from those sales included nearly $1.6 million in state sales taxes, $2.4 million school lunch subsidies and $3.5 million in profits earmarked for the state's general fund.

Sales so far this year have totaled $97 million, according to a recent report to the liquor control commission, which regulates the distribution of alcoholic beverages.

In Utah, liquor, wine and beer with an alcohol content over 3.2 percent by weight can be purchased only in the state's 38 liquor stores or 100 package agencies in small towns and resorts.