Retail Sales Rise 1.9%, Liquor Sales Up 15.4%
Retail sales rose 1.9% in March 2012 to an estimated $85.6 million, with liquor sales showing the strongest increase at 15.4%. In contrast, motor vehicle dealers reported the largest decline in sales of 21.7%.
Returning residents declared overseas purchases of goods valued at $3.6 million during March 2012. This was 16.3% lower than the $4.3 million declared in March 2011. Combined local and overseas spending totaled $89.2 million.
After adjusting for the annual retail sales rate of inflation, measured at 4.0% in March 2012, the volume of retail sales fell by 0.2%.
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everyone is drinking to block out the recession!
SM, you hit the nail on the head with your comment.
It’s the only thing that one can do leagally.
And with the current market crisis, jobs, income and higher prices it is an escape but only temporary.
40 years ago I said the sh#t would hit the fan.
Welcome aboard Alberto on the Rocks.
Who can save Bermuda. Only you and your neighbor.
Yup!!! So true!
I’m inclined to agree with you on that point.
Cheapest way to escape the BS and pain that the PLP are dishing out to Bermuda.
SM, they are drinking to block out the P.L.P .
Drugs are always a big money maker wether they are for medicinal or for pleasure. Government should up the importation tax on liquor & cigarettes & drop it on food.
Sadly a lot of people in Bermuda forget that alcohol is a drug. But hey look at that, sales are up!
Yes it is great that sales are up even though the highest rise is on alcohol but I can’t complain there because adults should be able to put whatever they want in their body just as long as they don’t harm anyone while doing it. My suggestion is about capitalizing on the fact that there’s so much drinking of alcohol going on & counterbalancing it with incentives on healthier habits. Even if the cost of alcohol went sky high people would still drink but may drink less which is a win win because no one needs to drink as much as people do to get a buzz going. If food was cheaper on the counterbalance of alcohol prices also people would be able to afford to eat healthy. Of course some education will have to happen teaching people that if they eat healthy & drink less they would have more years to live & enjoy their drinking but they must be able to afford to eat healthy for it to work.
It seems extremely contrary to start out by saying that adults should be able to do what they want and then reach the conclusion that the Government essentially dictates what the citizens drinks based on tariffs and taxes.
If I want to do something legal, what right does the government have to increase taxation on it specifically without casting judgment on the activity itself? Why not also tax grocery store junk food, fast food like KFC and Ice Queen, and unhealthy choices from regular restaurants?
Doesn’t government dictate everything citizens do based on tariffs and taxes already? At least government still allows people to drink a mind altering substance without arresting you for it. So what if they charge you one of your huevos for it is this not capitalism at least its something none of us need. Right?
Technically you can’t say alcohol is fully legal. There’s certain laws to when alcohol is legal. Maybe in Bermuda our laws are very lax compared to other places but they are still there to be enforced. Yes I feel junk food, fast food like KFC and Ice Queen should pay more to run their business. It seems fair to me that society has to pay more for anything that is bad for their health because these people cost the societal system more in the long run. Wouldn’t it be better for all parents to be able to afford healthy meals for their children 24/7 then all alcoholics to afford nips 24/7?
Good annolagy but of the mark Tommy Chung King.
Read what you wrote and hen go to another destination and be pissed because they offered mixed drinks.
I need a rum.
Seems like something you’ve personally experienced eh terry? Here’s a little tip from Tommy Chong so you don’t end up looking like a whining Rummy when the tender goes heavy on the coke & light on the black drink at home first. If this doesn’t work join a twelve step program & try not fall down them on the way up.
Wonder what your drinking Tommy.
Tommy Collins?
I need a rum.
Nah! I’m more of a blueberry tea type.
Drink. Drink. Drink. Drink. Bermudians love to drink….
“Any occasion, easy persuasion. Bermudians love to drink.”
Everybody!!!!
And the liquor sales will continue to rise as the stress level escallates. Alchol numbs the pain.
Marijuana does it better and its healthier.
Just to come corrected.. anytime you light something on fire and suck the smoke into
lungs made for oxygen not carbon, you are damaging them. It’s how the majority of people caught in a fire perish! The woord ‘healthier does not come into it.
KIDS TAKE NOTE
As to de whopping increase in Lickka sales, de PLP gummint most likely been quoffing dat dere out of fear of their own impending unemployment or ours!