Retail Sales Increased 3.5% In March 2020
Minister for the Cabinet Office Wayne Furbert released the March 2020 Retail Sales Index from the Department of Statistics.
The Minister explained, “After adjusting for the retail sales rate of inflation, measured at 0.7% in March, the overall volume of local retail sales increased 3.5%. Meanwhile, total selected overseas declarations increased 3.0% in March 2020 compared to March 2019. Overseas declarations includes imports received via courier, residents through the airport, households by sea and the post office.”
Highlighted below are the March 2020 year-over-year changes for each of the seven local retail sectors:
- Food Stores’ sales volume increased 24.2%.
- Liquor Stores’ sales volume increased 14.3%.
- Building Material Stores’ sales volume increased 15.3%.
- All Other Store Types’ sales volume weakened 5.4%.
- Service Stations’ sales volume contracted 11.7%.
- Motor Vehicle Stores’ sales volume fell 36.7%.
- Apparel Stores’ sales volume decreased 62.6%.
The report states, “The sales volume of Food Stores and Liquor Stores increased 24.2 per cent and 14.3 per cent, respectively. In value terms, the sales value for Food Stores was 27.8 per cent higher while Liquor Stores rose 18.0 per cent. Retailers attributed the rise in sales to higher consumer demand due to COVID-19.”
The full March 2020 Retail Sales Index publication follows below [PDF here]:
Of course Food and Liquor sales increased. No-one has been eating or drinking out.
That’s a lot of rum and toilet paper.
Well yes – all that toilet roll! Why haven’t we got April’s figures? it is June 22!
Ouch and wait for April:
Service Stations’ sales volume contracted 11.7%.
Motor Vehicle Stores’ sales volume fell 36.7%.
Apparel Stores’ sales volume decreased 62.6%.
So panic buying food and drinks the only thing keeping us afloat right now.
Where are the deals on car sales? Amazing this sector (and hotels frankly) haven’t sought to offer more in the way of price cuts and promotions.
Makes you wonder how much they were over-charging before?
Will the Honourable Minister for the Cabinet Office deliver the statistics for the second quarter and tell us how great they are or will they simply be released by the Government without comment?