10 straight months of retail sales decline

Retail sales volume fell for the 10th consecutive month in May. According to the Department of Statistics, the volume of sales was down 0.9 per cent.

Due to inflation, the value of sales was up 0.8 per cent.

Overseas spending by value was declined by 3.6 per cent.

The figures could have been worse but food stores sector saw gross receipts rise by 7.8 per cent and liquor stores were up by 4.7 per cent. That was partly due to price increase for food (+2.4 per cent) and liquor (+4.1 per cent).

Gross revenue for apparel stores rose 5.3 per cent in May. It was the first increase for this sector since January.

The motor vehicles sector was down 2.1 per cent. Motor vehicle dealers sold more cars during May but the volume of motorcycles was lower.

The Building Materials Sector saw a decline of 20.7 per cent.

Lower fuel prices led to a 6.5 per cent decrease in the Service Stations sector.

Sales for boat and marine supplies dipped 17.1 per cent while tourists-related stores receipts declined by 6.6 per cent.

Pharmaceutical sales increased 1.7 per cent.