Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that value of retail sales for the third quarter of 2011 reached MOP 10.59 billion, up by 38% year-on-year. Retail sales of Watches, Clocks & Jewellery amounted to MOP 2.70 billion (25% of total), which was followed by retail sales of Goods in Department Stores (16%), Leather Goods (11%) and Adults' Clothing (9%). Value of retail sales for the third quarter of 2011 increased by 8% compared with the revised figure (MOP 9.82 billion) of the second quarter, with notable increase being observed in sales of Motor Vehicles (+32%), Automotive Fuels (+23%), Goods in Department Stores (+17) and Communication Equipment (+17%). In the first three quarters of 2011, value of retail sales totalled MOP 30.43 billion, up by 39% compared with MOP21.89 billion from a year earlier. After removing the effect of price changes, volume of retail sales for the third quarter of 2011 rose by 25% year-on-year, of which sales of Communication Equipment soared by 77%, Leather Goods by 46%, Goods in Department Stores by 43%, Cosmetics & Sanitary Articles by 41% and Adults' Clothing by 40%. Volume of retail sales increased by 7% quarter-to-quarter, with significant increase in sales of Motor Vehicles (+31%), Communication Equipment (+22%) and Automotive Fuels (+22%); however, sales volume of Watches, Clocks & Jewellery registered a decrease of 5% quarter-to-quarter. In respect of the comments of the retailers, about 68% stated that sales volume in the third quarter of 2011 held stable or increased over the previous quarter, up by 10 percentage points compared with those holding the same sentiment in the second quarter; however, 32% reported a decrease in sales volume. In terms of the retail prices, about 60% reported stable prices, 27% stated an increase and 13% reported a decrease. In comparison with the third quarter of 2010, about 75% expressed that the stock level was normal in the third quarter of 2011, while 14% indicated that the stock level was low. As regards the business outlook for the fourth quarter of 2011, about 75% anticipate that sales volume will increase or remain stable quarter-to-quarter, 25% expect a decrease. Concurrently, about 32% predict an increase in retail prices, 57% expect stable prices and 11% expect a decrease.
