Information from the Statistics and Census Service showed that value of total retail sales was estimated at MOP2.65 billion in the third quarter of 2006. Retail sales of watches, clocks & jewellery took the largest share of 14% of the total, which were followed by sales of motor vehicles (12%); goods in supermarkets (11%); goods in department stores (11%); adults' clothing (7%) and automotive fuels (6%). In this quarter, value of retail sales rose by 21% from MOP2.19 billion in the third quarter of 2005, with marked increases in the sales of watches, clocks & jewellery, goods in supermarkets, goods in department stores, fuels for household use, household electric appliances and goods in pharmacies. In comparison with the MOP2.54 billion sales in the second quarter, value of retail sales in this quarter increased by 4%. In the first three quarters of 2006, value of total retail sales amounted to MOP7.67 billion, up by 19% over the same period of 2005. A comparison of the retailers’ opinions indicated that about 40% reported decrease in the sales volume in the third quarter of 2006, down by 7 percentage points over the previous quarter; 60% reported that the sales volume remained stable or increase. In terms of retail prices, about 54% and 19% reported the prices were stable and showed increase whereas 27% reported the prices decreased. Compared with the same quarter of 2005, about 55% of the retailers said that the stock level was normal in the third quarter of 2006, while 30% indicated that the stock level was low. Regarding the prospect for the fourth quarter of 2006, about 79% of the retailers expected the sales volume to increase or remain stable, and 21% expected it to decrease. Meanwhile, about 89% expected the retail prices to remain stable or increase, while 11% expected it to decrease.
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