November 2013: Bermuda Retail Sales Increase
Total retail sales in November 2013 rose 4.7 per cent, and after adjusting for inflation [measured at 0.8 per cent in November] the volume of retail sales increased by 3.7 per cent.
Consumers spent an estimated $85.7 million on retail goods during the month. Of the seven retail sectors, all experienced increases with the exception of service stations and liquor stores.
Motor vehicle retailers registered the largest increase in sales of 27.6 per cent while service stations recorded the strongest decline of 7.1 per cent.
Residents returning to the Island declared overseas purchases valued at $6.1 million during November 2013. This contributed to a combined local and overseas spending total of $91.8 million.
The full Retail Sales Index is below [PDF here]:
This is positive news. Hopefully this trend continues through the winter months.
Oh say it isn’t so!!!! Consumer confidence, though modest, returning under the OBA. Now why would that be?
I’ll bet Betty, in one of her forms will have an answer in awhile. Have to check with the PLP propaganda department first though.
Care to elaborate on why would that be?
Triangle drifter how old are you ?!?! 10 ?!?!
The OBA is creating an environment that restores and encourages confidence.Tell you what,if the PLP win govt again,Bermuda will be finished.Crime will go crazy,you will not be able to give away your house,let alone rent it, and we will become 4th world.
May the OBA get at least 15 yrs to turn us around.Thats what is needed!
Yes rental !! Big Words your speaking.. Yes I Rental !!
OH DEAR! I do think we have a problem with all these numbers.
They don’t take into account the average of $300MILLION DOLLARS per year that the Government borrows every year to pay the Polititions and Government Workers which amounts to ONE THIRD of the Bermuda Workforce.
The minister of Finance just raised $750Million and then another $50MILLION LOCALLY.
What percentage of our borrowing contribute to our retail sales.And we still have to pay it back to whom we borrowed.We are getting closer to Jamaica’s economic problems where $100Jamacian equals one ($1)US Dollar.
I thought that money was to pay down our debt…
It’s to pay wages? $300 million to pay JUST Government’s payroll?
If this is true, then we SERIOUSLY need to downsize Government!
No wonder we’re up the proverbial creek.
What does this mean?
Or is this just another cowardly, meaningless potshot from you, never answered, never explained?
I was agreeing with you , you c#^t, Won’t make that mistake again, go f#8k yourself douchebag.
Well, that escalated quickly!
OBA bloggers are pathetic
hope you have a plan B if the PLP does get back in otherwise you are just whistling in the wind
I think people want to see the OBA get us out of this mess. Only a hateful blind fool would want Bermuda to completely fail for a fake political ideology.
so no plan B
now I understand the incessant comments
Ummm, you do realise that retail sales went up? After years of PLP decline things are turning around. I know you must hate to see that.
like I said pathetic
I tire of your mindless and predictable political dribble
done
Says the guy who opened with mindless, predictable political “dribble”.
Not “drivel”. “Dribble”.
no the word “dribble” is correct because I compared what comes out of the OBA supporters’ mouths to what comes out of the mouths of babies
in any event “dribble” is a synonym for “drivel” as they both mean run at the mouth
however drivel or rather talking nonsense is something that can only apply to adults which clearly you aren’t
Even so, only the mentally insane would vote PLP back in again. Guess you’ve found yourself.
Nope. Not true.
Dribble and drivel are synonyms when referring to something dripping from the mouth.
ONLY drivel means talking nonsense.
You can’t just make up definitions.
What’s funny is – and it’s notable that you ignored this part of my post – that you have a problem with people posting “mindless, predictable political “dribble”", but only when it’s people that aren’t PLP supporters.
Yet another example of “It’s ok when we do it.”, I guess.
buy a dictionary
I did. Take your own advice.
And I notice you’re STILL avoiding the other part of my post.
I wonder why…
In the meantime the economy improves while you’re drooling.
Plan B would go something like take what can be moved overseas & put a match to what cannot be moved. Leave a sign that says ‘Enjoy your new Haiti of the North. You now have what you asked for’.
if this is your state of mind and those that “like” it than I would say good riddance to you
if this is indicative of the OBA support base than they are in serious trouble come next election
fool me once shame on you fool me twice same on me
What about “Fool me three times in a row”?
@js … You talk of an OBA support base. There is no such thing. These people support Bermuda and Bermudians. The PLP were and are disgusting and only in it for themselves. The OBA have to prove themselves on an ongoing basis. There is no free ride. The only free ride in Bermuda is from the folks who support the PLP with no understanding of what the PLP really became and how damaging to their future the PLP are. If those folks had demanded accountability of the PLP earlier, then perhaps we wouldn’t be in this mess. Educate yourself. Go read the SAGE report in full, go read the ideologies of the PLP, go read their promises and their realities. Go read the Hansard March 1st 2013 …. Wake yourself up
I’m certain there are plenty of Plan B’s out there. IB has them, expats have them, Bermudians have them – lots of plan B’s to be sure.
Ah, plan B would be the bank accounts in Jersey and IOM.
If things stabilise down the road, though, and the OBA get another term. Repatriation of funds and investment locally will be a strong possibility.
Nothing personal, just looking after the family future in the best way possible.
Here’s hoping that plan B doesn’t have to continue.
i agree J !! Their like big Children !
@JS Plan B was the OBA thats why they are in “power”! Stop being so negative this is a good thing for me and u a** regardless of your political affiliation!
therein lies the problem with OBA supporters
you assume I have a political affiliation to which you are wrong
you probably assume that I am resident on the island to which you would be wrong
the reality is that some of us being apolitical and non resident are fed up with the incessant politicizing of every news topic whether relevant or not
# @#$% off
Why are you only attacking a group you call OBA supporters, if you are apolitical ? Why?
there do not appear to be any comments under this article that can be interpreted as PLP partisan and rabid anti OBA
it would seem for the most part that PLP supporters appear not to be constantly on the attack probably with the full understanding that if their base turns out to vote in 4 years then their party is back in
the OBA supporters on the other hand appear to be constantly on the attack probably in an attempt to help build up their base with the undecided voters
if this is their supporters’ strategy then its an epic fail in the making and Triangle Drifter better set the match to his immovables now
This is completely and unbelievably untrue!
evidence
“it would seem for the most part that PLP supporters appear not to be constantly on the attack probably with the full understanding that if their base turns out to vote in 4 years then their party is back in”
Pretty much ANY thread on this website proves that this is completely false… the complete opposite of true.
“the OBA supporters on the other hand appear to be constantly on the attack probably in an attempt to help build up their base with the undecided voters”
No, this is a tactic of the PLP supporters and demagogues on here. I’m not sure what the idea is, because, as was proved by the last election, the undecided voters don’t respond well to constant attacks.
The evidence, again, is a vast majority of the pages on this website.
To post this, you are either absolutely dishonest and are pushing an agenda or completely deluded and have no idea what you are talking about.
what the last election proved was that the PLP lost significant support in their base and that the OBA inherited the former UBP’s base and thus had strong support
accordingly its highly unlikely that the OBA would have garnered a significant percentage of the undecided vote as any politically astute undecided voter would have recognized that the OBA carried the legacy of the former UBP and therefore needed at least 1 full term to demonstrate real change not mere rhetoric
as an undecided voter I can objectively look at both parties and see both positives and negatives in each
however for my part the OBA is burdened and hamstrung by its own supporters who continue to act in a divisive manner
you may nevertheless say that the PLP themselves are divisive which may be correct however the major difference is that the OBA canvassed on being a new party bridging the divide and the PLP didn’t
so unfortunately the burden is on you to do better otherwise start thinking about executing plan B
A. Oh. You’re delusional and blindered. Got it.
B. the burden is NOT on me, at all. I’m not going anywhere. I’m Bermudian. This is my home and I’m not leaving it. My “Plan B. Is to continue to try to make Bermuda a better place.
You may not have the capacity to understand what is going on so I don’t really blame you
you’re just a guy strumming on a ukulele
I’m sure you are aware of the expression that black people have to be twice as good as their white counterparts in order to have half the opportunities
well the burden is on the black person to be twice as good and unfortunately many black people don’t accept that burden and we can see the results
the OBA’s position is analogous to that of a black person as in order for them to be given half a chance they need to be twice as good as their PLP counterparts
the same can be said for the supporters on both sides
so my advice to you is to accept the burden of doing better or shut up
WOW.
Talk about moving the goalposts!
WOW!
You start with an insult, then, as usual, ignore everything I said, then, amazingly, ignore everything YOU said, to go off on this whole different tack. Amazing.
Not once did I say anything remotely like ANYTHING you’re talking about… but you’re throwing it in my face.
And then… “The OBA has to be twice as good as the PLP”?
Dude, I hope that they’re a heck of a lot better than TWICE as good as the PLP, because the past couple of administrations of the PLP? They were REALLY not very good at all. Like… at ALL!
But you seem to want to push this false equivalence in the supporters of the parties. It IS false. In fact, you’re not. You’re pushing that the PLP supporters aren’t as bad as OBA supporters, a theory that is – and has been – easily debunked – and that debunking ignored by you – by simply looking at the vast majority of threads on this site. Where are the “Betty Trump”s; the Duane Santuccis, spewing disgusting racist attacks on people that disagree with them; the “watching”s; the “sage”s, making personal attacks whenever cornered into admitting whatever logical fallacy they’ve made up? If you are basing your theory on this page along, you might be right – although a few posts, including yours right here, would prove you wrong.
But you’re not.
and “so my advice to you is to accept the burden of doing better or shut up”
Doing better than whom? That PLP supporters that post here? For the most part, I do. I don’t lie, I don’t deceive, I don’t make horrific, racist personal attacks while hiding behind a pen name, I don’t run away after doing so, I don’t move goalposts and I have integrity and will back up everything I post.
But here’s the question (that won’t be answered): Why is the burden on me? Because I’m white? Because I speak out against dishonesty in PLP demagogues, and because of these things, you assume I’m OBA?
Or is it because I actually LIVE here?
what does you being “white” have anything to do with having the burden of doing better
one of the best things about residing in Canada is that a person’s race, creed etc doesn’t even enter the mind when having a discussion with that person
can the same be said for residing in Bermuda
as to you being an OBA supporter
I suppose its reasonable to assume this by the mere fact that you are a political commentator who expresses anti PLP sentiments
accordingly in this instance you would either be a supporter of the OBA actively trying to help maintain their present political position
or
an apolitical political commentator who is anti PLP but one who is indifferent to whether or not the PLP resumes their former political position
as you appear to be an intelligent fellow unlike the other so called “Kool-Aid drinkers” I would gather that your true position is the former rather than the later
in the grand scheme of things its not like it really matters one way or the other as its just commentary
I don’t know. That’s why I asked.
You brought race into the conversation. Not me.
The rest of it?
I’m simply looking for the best for Bermuda, as I see it, based on my own observations. In 98, I voted PLP, because the UBP weren’t doing a good job.
Right now, I’m less anti-PLP and more anti the current, and past couple of, administrations, as they did a poor job running the country, and anti the bunch of propagandists that I see on this site. If someone on the OBA side was spewing the same levels of hate, dishonesty and vile, racist lies, I would be speaking out against them, too.
Do I support the OBA? No.
Are they perfect? HECK, no.
Do I think they’re the better choice at this moment in our history? Oh, HELL yes.
So… there’s a third option to your theory. Will it be ignored by you? Probably. You’ve ignored everything else.
I used race by example not race by definition
that’s a big difference
with the exception of the Premier name 1 member of the present OBA cabinet who wasn’t a member of the former UBP
if the OBA cabinet is demonstrably a UBP cabinet which you stated you voted against in 1998 can you in good faith say that they are the better choice for this time in our history if only to say that they are not the PLP
if this is your logic than I believe this makes you an OBA supporter by default
rather hypocritical I would say
That’s what I said. You brought up race.
As for the rest of it? Complete nonsense.
You’re just saying words, trying to make them fit to define me as something I’m not.
Try honesty.
that’s what I thought
can’t name one
ciao
Happy New Year
Your ridiculous fearmongering “OMG! THE UBP IS BAAAAD! AND THE OBA IS THE UBP! AND YOU’RE BAD FOR SUPPORTING THEM!” game is tired and done and no one is falling for it.
You’re just moving the goalposts, yet again, trying to make some bizarre and completely false point that doesn’t make a lick of sense to anyone.
You’re a joke.
I never said the UBP was bad those are your words
the fact that the OBA cabinet consists of former members of the UBP shouldn’t come as a surprise as they are the ones with the most experience having been in opposition for 12 years
I am however calling you out as a hypocrite and @ hmmmm as well for playing the denial game
You might have a point and COULD “call me out”… If your premise made a lick of sense. I didn’t vote for the UBP because they weren’t doing a good job. Then I didn’t vote for the PLP because they weren’t doing a good job. Now, because, after the fact, the cabinet is made up of former members of the UBP, I must be an OBA supporter? That”s what you’re saying.
And it’s complete nonsense.
So. Yeah. Call me out all you want, but here’s a hint.
Use, like, actual things that happened, not whatever gibberish pops into your head to suit your needs. It might give your “calling out” some truth… or integrity… Or honesty.
Until then? You can be dismissed as nothing more than a partisan hack, trying to lash out at anyone that exposes you as a fraud.
“as an undecided voter I can objectively look at both parties and see both positives and negatives in each”
Really?
“however for my part the OBA is burdened and hamstrung by its own supporters who continue to act in a divisive manner”
Can you provide any examples and actually prove it’s an oba supporter?
“you may nevertheless say that the PLP themselves are divisive which MAY be correct however the major difference is that the OBA canvassed on being a new party bridging the divide and the PLP didn’t”
See, this part here says it all and if you look at the word I put in capitols it shows where you stand and along with your other posts shows you are completely decided. It’s not “may be correct”, it either is or it isn’t, and it is correct. Just because someone has a different opinion than you doesn’t make what they say divisive. Just because someone points out the faults of the previous government doesn’t make them divisive. Just like Mike said above, you can read these comments on a daily basis and see the divisiveness from certain supporters. This is one of the many ways the plp lost the election. Mike says you’re either dishonest or deluded, I think you either need another taste of the plp style of governing, which the rest of us can’t afford, or you like having your standard of living in a constant nose dive.
I thought Mike Hind could speak for himself
whether the OBA or PLP is in political power is inconsequential to me
in a Westminster style parliamentary system I accept the prospect that governments will inevitably change and political change isn’t something I fear
I also accept that Bermuda having only a native population of 45k will probably never produce a politician of the mettle and quality of an Obama, Mandela etc
accordingly as the political bar is so low as evidenced by those members from both parties sitting in the House it shouldn’t be too hard for either party to raise to the occasion giving such low expectations
Another “Was I talking to YOU?” response.
I DID respond and I DO speak for myself.
That doesn’t mean other people can’t respond to the completely dishonest or deluded nonsense you’re posting.
Wow js, you are blinkered.
Js also comes across as being an arrogant little tw@t. “You may not have the capacity to understand what is going on”. What a jerk.
That quote coming from someone who says we will never have a politician like an Obama… I think we have plenty of them since 8 years later Obama is still blaming Bush for the state of the US. Sound familiar? But to class Obama with Mandela, AYFKM?!
you all can give insults but you can’t take them
like a said pathetic
have a Happy New Year
done
Running away when too many people prove him wrong.
That’s about right.
I didn’t insult you, I said you were blinkered. Your posts proved this. I think you will even find some advice in my posts to help you see the truth. People want the truth, I was being very helpful to you.
First, I am again that there is an increase in spending locally; however, we must take this news with a grain of salt. Yes, give the government credit for their contribution to this, but there are other factors that must be considered when reviewing the data.
If you were honest, this point would not need to be raised – it would be obvious.
Q
Is anyone saying that it’s SOLELY on the OBA?
Is anyone speaking directly to you?
My comment was directly related to the comments of Triangle Drifter, Dread, bluebird, js and hmmm – whom all made mention of a specific political party – - I mentioned the government in mine.
My general comment was focused on the concept of some (not all) who spoke to the idea – that’s all.
You know that if I specifically speak to someone or their post, I will address them by name – - that is the least I can do.
Q
So… no, then?
Got it.
I wasn’t aware that I’m not allowed to comment on certain posts. I guess I’ve been told by the big boss of Bernews.
Oh, wait.
It’s weird how defensive you get when I post. I wonder why that is.
Is there something in my post that deserves a reaction like this? If so, please let me know and maybe we can fix it.
Of course, we know the “logic”. Any bad news = government not doing enough.
Any good news = must be other factors, can’t be anything to do with the government.
First Mike:
As I stated in my post, I will always reply to individuals by name – that’s a respect thing. I personally do not feel that my post above is a negative reaction to your post – nor do I believe it to be defensive in any way – honestly. I simply found it interesting that you felt the need to reply to my post when it was clearly not directed to you.
Mike – you can post whenever and on whichever post you choose – that is your right – duly respected.
Q
Another evasion. You are amazing.
No – you are amazing. There is no evasion in my post. It was established in my original post then reinforced in my 2nd post that I agreed with your assessment that it wasn’t solely on the government. I clearly stated that I spoke specifically to the comments of a few bloggers based on their use of the OBA – nothing more. I then went on to explain in my last post why I speak directly to people by name – I believe it to be important to address individuals with a level of respect – as all are deserving.
So your above comment is a bit misplaced, in my opinion. But remember, it’s only my opinion – not fact – open to interpretation.
Q
Whatever, dude.
Ignored my question in order to whine about “why I would feel the need to respond”… but that’s not evasion.
And you’re right. It IS your opinion. And your opinion is wrong.
So now you’re telling me my opinion is wrong? Seriously?
That’s a bit of a stretch for you, don’t you think?
That’s completely out of the norm for you – and I’m shocked that’s coming from you.
I spoke to your question by providing info in my post – you might not agree, but it should be respected at the very least.
Q
Here we go again.
My “above post”, in your opinion, was misplaced. That is incorrect. It was NOT, in fact, misplaced, as you DID evade the question, repeatedly.
But you know that and are playing your usual silly, dishonest games.
Ridiculous.
Sandy:
If you took the time to carefully read my post instead of trying to assume its meaning, you would understand that I believe that the government has done a good thing to assist with this increase in the retail sales in our country. Well done government!
I simply also took the opportunity to remind everyone that there are other factors that also assisted in those retail sale increases over the last few months – nothing more. Do you disagree? And if so, what you base your logic on?
I never said that this had nothing to do with government – that’s a lie, as my friend Mike Hind would say.
Q
Yeah. We’re friends. Riiight.
Actually we are. . . I don’t waste my time discussing topics of the day with people that I don’t consider my friends.
Q
No. We’re not.
I know the name of all my friends.
My friends don’t make false and dishonest personal attacks against me while hiding behind pen names like a coward.
What do you expect it was close to Christmas time!
My Money went to the Bank[ Mortgage ] Gas, Car, Insurance,and Lindo’s for food – like I do every month.
What was left was saved towards Christmas Gifts.
Lets get real – it’s spending time.
It’s November compared to November last year. If it’s close to Christmas now, it was close to Christmas last year. It’s an apples to apples comparison.
Wasn’t it spending time last year….i.e. the year being compared against.
People did the same last November, and each November. The message in your post is really that there appears to have been more cash “saved” for people to spend at Christmas. A good sign, perhaps.
Whatever the reason, let’s all be THANKFUL for this news!!! Bermuda will take anything she can get! I personally think its because people don’t have the money to travel so they are buying more locally because they have no other chioce.
You don’t have to travel for the internet.
Shipping is getting almost as expensive and hassle-filled as buying local!
I agree. If they sell it here, I buy it here.
Exactly, and sometimes people want to get out in the hustle and bustle of the season to enjoy the Christmas buzz instead of sitting in front of their computer screen.
+ one of the best things about residing in Canada is that a person’s race, creed etc doesn’t even enter the mind when having a discussion with that person
can the same be said for residing in Bermuda +
That’s a very interesting statement indeed . If it’s at all true . I know a good few Canadians , black and white .
What is it in your estimation about the Canadian version of them that makes them so different than Bermudians ?