Savings from the state’s fifth sales-tax holiday in August rose 17 percent from last year’s holiday, the state Department of Revenue said Monday.

The agency estimated shoppers saved about $2.7 million for the Aug. 6-8 weekend, during which they did not have to pay the 5 percent sales tax on selected items, spokesman Danny Brazell said.

That translates into about $55.2 million worth of tax-exempt goods sold at S.C. stores over the three days.

Last year, an estimated $47 million in tax-exempt goods were sold with a savings of $2.3 million.

This year’s savings were down 23 percent from 2000 — the inaugural tax holiday — when $3.6 million was saved on $72 million in sales.

Jim Hatchell, president of the S.C. Merchants Association, said the three-day tax holiday has become one of the state’s major shopping weekends. Retailers of footwear, clothing and computers seemed particularly pleased this year, he said.

“The economy has done better, and people have zeroed in on the holiday,” Hatchell said. “This tax thing drives (shoppers) like nothing else — they know there will be all sorts of promotions and discounts.”

Brazell said the increases could be the result of a strengthening economy or heavy promotion from retailers. “It’s hard to say, but it’s probably because the economy was showing signs of a bounce back.” he said.

Savings since the first sales tax weekend in 2000 have largely declined, although this year saw a double-digit increase over last year’s holiday.

“Seventeen percent is very healthy,” Hatchell said. “But I think the tax-holiday savings will level off at the numbers we’re seeing now.”

Reach Young at (803) 771-8659 or tfyoung@thestate.com.