Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that value of retail sales for the second quarter of 2012 totalled MOP 12.74 billion, up by 30% year-on-year. Retail sales of Watches, Clocks & Jewellery amounted to MOP 4.10 billion (32% of total), which was followed by retail sales of Goods in Department Stores (13%), Leather Goods (10%), Adults' Clothing (8%), Motor Vehicles (7%) and Goods in Supermarkets (6%). Value of retail sales for the second quarter decreased by 3% compared with the revised figure (MOP 13.16 billion) of the first quarter, with marked decrease being observed in sales of Adults' Clothing (-24%), Communication Equipment (-20%), Leather Goods (-11%) and Goods in Department Stores (-10%); however, retail sales of Motor Vehicles soared by 27%. Value of retail sales for the first half year of 2012 reached MOP 25.91 billion, up significantly by 31% year-on-year, of which noticeable increase was seen in sales of Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (+49%), Motor Vehicles (+36%), Adults' Clothing (+29%) and Goods in Department Stores (+28%). After removing the effect of price changes, volume of retail sales for the second quarter increased by 22% year-on-year, with notable increase in sales of Motor Vehicles (+63%), Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (+39%) and Communication Equipment (+24%). Volume of retail sales decreased by 4% quarter-to-quarter, with sales of Adults' Clothing (-22%), Communication Equipment (-15%), Leather Goods (-14%) and Goods in Supermarkets (-10%) posting the greatest decline. Volume of retail sales registered an increase of 21% year-on-year in the first half year of 2012. In respect of the comments of the retailers, about 65% stated that sales volume in the second quarter increased or held stable over the previous quarter, up by 11 percentage points compared with those holding the same sentiment in the first quarter, while 35% reported a decrease in sales volume. In terms of the retail prices, about 67% reported stable prices, 26% stated an increase and 7% reported a decrease. In comparison with the same quarter of 2011, about 71% expressed that the stock level was normal in the second quarter, while 18% indicated that the stock level was low. As regards the business outlook for the third quarter, about 81% anticipate that sales volume will increase or remain stable from the second quarter, while 19% expect a decrease. Concurrently, about 77% predict stable retail prices, 14% predict an increase while 9% predict a decrease in retail prices.
