Retail Sales Rise 0.8%, Liquor Sales Up 25.5%
According to statistics just released, retail sales in September 2012 increased 0.8% [or $0.6 million] above the $81.9 million recorded in September 2011, with sales from liquor stores increasing 25.5%. Food sales jumped 10.9%, and the report said sales for both sectors were influenced by the Labour Day Holiday and
preparations for the passage of Hurricane Leslie.
Boat and marine retailers recorded a 28% increase in sales activity, while retailers of building materials experienced the largest decline, registering a 27.3% drop. Aggregate sales for apparel stores declined 8.3%, sales from tourist-related stores fell 25.6%, and retail sales of motor vehicles declined 2.8%.
After adjusting for the annual retail sales rate of inflation — measured at 2.5% in August 2012 — the volume of retail sales fell by 1.1%. This is the fifth month in a row retail sales have shown an increase [using numbers not adjusted for inflation], and the second month in a row liquor stores have shown a strong increase, as they experienced a 19.6% jump in sales in August 2012.
The full September 2012 Retail Sales Index is below [PDF here]:
retailers of building materials experienced the largest decline, registering a 27.3% drop. Aggregate sales for apparel stores declined 8.3%, sales from tourist-related stores fell 25.6%, and retail sales of motor vehicles declined 2.8%.
After adjusting for the annual retail sales rate of inflation — measured at 2.5% in August 2012 — the volume of retail sales FELL by 1.1%.
Seems to me if you want to start a business make it a liquor store!
..I wonder if weed and drug sales are up too!!
You don’t need to have a liquor store to sell liquor nowadays. Liquor licenses seem to be as easy to get now as a license to sell popcorn on harbor nights. The government would sell a liquor license to a nursery if they could.
Word on the street is that liquor sales have been so successful because there is hardly any weed to be found now. Instead of people getting mellowed out now they are getting full hot & foolish.
As for other drug sales these will never decline because the supply of this is to well connected & organized. Just look at the major amount of cannabis bust compared to the little amount of hard drug bust this year & the proof will be in the cake.
Retail up 0.8% and alcohol(the worst drug around) 25.5% such a sad state.
Um just saying !!!
Well, isn’t drinking Bermuda’s biggest pastime sport? It’s so big we have a two day holiday dedicated to it where cricket & gambling are an added side attraction.
You are so right! Bermuda should legalize grass. Mellow is better than crazy drunk. Tourism would skyrocket!
“After adjusting for the annual retail sales rate of inflation — measured at 2.5% in August 2012 — the volume of retail sales fell by 1.1%.”
This should be the headline or at least the second sentence of the first paragraph; not the last paragraph. The fall in sales of 1.1% is the reality. That is the figure that shows whether or not Bermuda is rising out of its economic condition, treading with its head just above the muck, or sinking deeper into the mire.
What will be truly sad is when the non-inflation adjusted retail sales figure starts showing negative. I believe we’ll see this in 2013 no matter which party wins the election. The question is: Who has a detailed long term plan (not a set of objectives but an actual plan with publicly measurable milestones, deadlines, and ownership of responsibilities, and so on) to strengthen and focus Bermuda’s economy with opportunities of participation for those who want to work and value the acquisition of a dollar?
Who will demonstrate this? Neither party has yet to do so.
Ride
Lies, lies, lies, lies, this is not True!! Liquor sales 2-5% down, where does the govt stats, get these figures from????
lmao and the holidays are coming up! liquor is gonna be up even more after new years! #BermudiansLovetoDRINK
sales from tourist-related stores fell 25.6%
So Much More !!!!!!!! (this is before adjusting for inflation too) !!!!!!
Drink Drink Drink….Bermudians love to Drink!
Almost everyone in Bermuda likes to drink not just Bermudians because there is hardly anything to do here but drink.
Hm, let us all go on a liquid diet.
I the increase in sales isreflected by the preparation for Hurricaines, why are construction sales down? Does’nt add up, or down