Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the value of total retail sales for the first quarter of 2006 was estimated at MOP2.45 billion. Retail sales of motor vehicles; watches, clocks & jewellery; and goods in department stores accounted for 12% each of the total, which were followed by sales of goods in supermarkets (11%), adults' clothing (10%), fuels for household use (5%) and automotive fuels (5%). In this quarter, value of retail sales rose by 15% compared with the MOP2.14 billion recorded in the first quarter of 2005, with marked increases in the sales of watches, clocks & jewellery; adults' clothing; sales of goods in supermarkets; fuels for household use and automotive fuels. Compared with the MOP2.34 billion in the fourth quarter of 2005, value of retail sales in this quarter increased by 5%. A comparison of the retailers’ opinions indicated that about 47% reported decrease in the sales volume in the first quarter of 2006, up by 25 percentage points over the same opinion of the previous quarter, while 53% reported that the sales volume remained stable or increased. In terms of retail prices, about 54% and 15% reported that the prices were stable and showed increase whereas 31% reported the prices decreased. Compared with the same quarter of 2005, about 70% said that the stock level was normal in the first quarter of 2006, while 15% indicated that the stock level was low. Regarding the business prospect for the second quarter of 2006, about 71% expected the sales volume to increase or remain stable, 29% expected it to decrease. Meanwhile, about 90% expected the retail prices to remain stable or increase, while 10% expected it to decrease.
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