Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that value of retail sales for the first quarter of 2014 totalled MOP 18.31 billion, down by MOP 29 million compared with the revised figure of MOP 18.33 billion in the fourth quarter of 2013. Retail sales of Watches, Clocks & Jewellery amounted to MOP 5.38 billion (29% of total), which was followed by retail sales of Goods in Department Stores (17%), Leather Goods (10%), Adults' Clothing (10%), Goods in Supermarkets (6%) and Motor Vehicles (6%). Value of retail sales for the first quarter of 2014 increased by 15% year-on-year, with marked increase being observed in sales of Electrical Goods (+47%), Goods in Supermarkets (+25%), Goods in Department Stores (+22%) and Adults' Clothing (+19%). After removing the effect of price changes, volume of retail sales for the first quarter of 2014 increased by 18% year-on-year, with notable increase in sales of Electrical Goods (+53%), Dried Seafood (+34%), Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (+32%) and Motorcycles, Parts & Accessories (+26%). Meanwhile, volume of retail sales held stable compared with the previous quarter, of which sales of Electrical Goods (+30%), Goods in Supermarkets (+12%) and Dried Seafood (+11%) saw significant increase; on the contrary, sales of Motor Vehicles and Communication Equipment decreased by 15% and 10% respectively. In respect of the comments of the retailers, about 59% stated that sales volume in the first quarter of 2014 increased or held stable over the previous quarter, down by 9 percentage points compared with those holding the same sentiment in the fourth quarter of 2013, while 41% reported decrease in sales volume. In terms of the retail prices, about 64% reported stable prices, 24% stated an increase and 12% noted a decrease. In comparison with the same quarter of 2013, about 74% expressed that the stock level was normal in the first quarter of 2014, while 14% indicated that the stock level was low. As regards business outlook for the second quarter of 2014, about 30% anticipate that sales volume will increase from the first quarter, 42% expect sales volume to remain stable, while 28% foresee a decrease. Concurrently, about 71% predict stable retail prices, 19% expect an increase, while 10% predict a decrease in retail prices.
