Retail Sales Increased 1.1% In January 2026
After adjusting for inflation, retail sales volume rose 1.1% in January 2026 compared to the same month a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Economy and Labour’s Retail Sales Index.
A Government spokesperson said, “Today, the Ministry of Economy and Labour released the January 2026 Retail Sales Index publication.
“January’s volume of retail sales index increased 1.1 per cent compared to last year. In value terms, retail sales increased to an estimated $106.2 million.
Chart extracted from the report:
“Six of the seven sectors recorded year-over-year volume index increases in January 2026:
- The sales volume for Food Stores increased 6.2 per cent.
- Liquor Stores’ sales volume increased 4.1 per cent.
- Motor Vehicle Stores’ sales volume increased 5.0 per cent.
- Service Stations’ sales volume rose 2.5 per cent.
- The sales volume at Apparel Stores increased 2.0 per cent.
- The All Other Store Types sector [comprising stores selling household items, furniture, appliances, electronics, pharmaceuticals and tourist-related goods], sales volume increased 2.3 per cent.
“In contrast, the sales volume at Building Material Stores decreased 14.3 per cent over January 2025.
“Selected overseas declarations decreased 1.0 per cent compared to January 2025.”
The full January 2026 Retail Sales Index publication follows below [PDF here]:
“After adjusting for inflation, retail sales volume rose 1.1% in January 2026”
The Report identifies the “retail sales rate of inflation” as being “measured at 3.1 per cent in January”. So the PLP Government is capable of identifying and applying an appropriate rate of retail sales inflation when it yields good news, yet remains incapable of reporting an accurate rate of retail sales inflation in Ministerial and Government statements.