October Sales Increase, Liquor Sales Up 16.3%
The latest Retail Sales Index shows that retail sales in October 2014 were 4.4% higher than the $82.2 million recorded in October 2013, which was attributed to “increased demand as consumers prepared for Hurricanes Fay and Gonzalo.”
Five out of the seven retail sectors experienced increases, with liquor stores recording the strongest increase in sales of 16.3%. In contrast, apparel stores registered the largest decrease in sales of 19.6%.
The report said, “Receipts from food sales rose 8.2% compared to October 2013. Retailers attributed the boost in sales to purchases of emergency supplies and non-perishable goods prior to and in the aftermath of Hurricanes Fay and Gonzalo. In addition, sales revenue for liquor stores increased 16.3% during the month.”
“Sales receipts for service stations climbed 9.1 per cent year-over-year. The growth in sales was due to an increase in demand for fuel for vehicles and generators during the month.”
“Gross receipts earned by retailers of building materials rose 2.1%, marking the second consecutive month of increased sales revenue. The rise in sales was a result of the increased consumer demand for hurricane supplies.”
“Sales revenue for apparel stores dropped 19.6% during October 2014. This decline in sales was attributed partly to the loss of business days as a result of the passing of Hurricanes Fay and Gonzalo.”
After adjusting for the annual retail sales rate of inflation, measured at 2.2% in October, the volume of retail sales increased by 2.0%.
The October 2014 Retail Sales Index follows below [PDF here]:
Bet there’ll be a lot of births in July 2015 – nuffin’ to do in a hurricane but drink and ……………..
Got to love Bermuda – two hurricanes and a massive increase in booze ….. agree with Cow Polly, King Edward going to be busy next year ….
Sclerosis of the liver and fetal alcohol syndrome?
am i the only one who sees it like this…manmade hurricane could put you in the hospital…manmade booze can put you in the hospital and makin babies puts you in the hospital…hmmm…how dumb are you..?
and the popularity a Drunkin’ Love…
Now that I work 9 to 5 I can spend more money on Front Street on the weekends and in the evenings after a long day of work. When I wake up on a Sunday next to the dumpster in the alley next to the bar I can walk straight to the liquor store. That is why liquor sales are up.
Liquor sales up. OMG! I’m shocked. (Sarcasm).
1 of 2,of Bermuda’s favorite pass times,drinking alcohol. The other is gossiping.
I would love the BDA GOV to categorically state where they are getting these results, because I work for one of the major wholesalers in the categories listed in the article above and we have not see increases like these so where are the retailers getting their increases from.
Statistics are possible the single most easy thing to manipulate and it is amazing how even the seemingly more innocent politician will do so to improve their standings… misrepresentation of the truth is as immoral as steeling from the public purse.
Such as: If Crap Construction Co. only made $100 last year and made $120 this year that is a +20% increase… But its far from doing well! And if Crap Con Co. is the only construction company I ask well then, cant I then claim that the construction industry saw a 20% rise in profits!
Beware the report that uses % points to brag about benefits & bounty!
lol life sucks thats y i drink! stops me from goin postal.
open another fifth and throw away the top! lol
In the words of the other die hard cheerleaders, “Thanks OBA!!!”
Different jurisdictions , same trend ! Your exuberance is for nought .
We get a storm, we drink. We lose our job, we drink. We get a job, we drink.
We drink, we drink, we drink. As the song goes, Bermudians love to drink. We really don’t care about the occasion or even really need an occasion to pitch a hot.
Can you name a country that dont like to drink ?