Retail Sales Increased 2.6% In August 2025
After adjusting for the retail sales rate of inflation, measured at 2.1% in August, the overall volume of retail sales index increased 2.6% when compared to August 2024, according to the recently released Retail Sales Index.
A Government spokesperson said, “Today, the Ministry of Economy and Labour released the August 2025 Retail Sales Index publication.
“August’s volume of retail sales index increased 2.6 per cent compared to last year. In value terms, retail sales increased to an estimated $117.3 million.
“Four of the seven sectors recorded year-over-year volume index increases in August 2025:
- “The sales volume for Food Stores increased 1.1 per cent.
- “Motor Vehicle Stores’ sales volume rose 20.2 per cent.
- “The sales volume at Apparel Stores increased 0.6 per cent.
- “In the All Other Store Types sector [comprising stores selling household items, furniture, appliances, electronics, pharmaceuticals and tourist-related goods], there was a 15.3 per cent increase in sales volume.
“The following three sectors had decreases in sales volume compared to the previous year:
- “Liquor Stores’ sales volume decreased 7.9 per cent.
- “Service Stations’ sales volume dropped 1.6 per cent.
- “The sales volume for Building Material Stores decreased 21.5 per cent.
“Selected overseas declarations increased 51.9 per cent compared to August 2024.”
The full August 2025 Retail Sales Index publication follows below [PDF here]:
“After adjusting for the retail sales rate of inflation, measured at 2.1% in August …”
Excuse me for pointing out an inconvenient truth, but the PLP Government reported retail price inflation in August 2025 at 1.9%, not 2.1%. See https://bernews.com/2026/02/august-consumer-price-index-inflation-1-9/#comment-6001773
Now, can we see travel statistics please? I would like to know if spending is up because people are not leaving Bermuda.
It takes SIX months for the Government to publish sales reports for a place the size of a little city!!!! What are these people doing all day?
A major country does it within 90 days easily. Looks like this is another department that should be made redundant and the work contracted out.
Now, now. We cannot put Bermudians out of work. Especially not labour supporting civil servants.