Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that value of retail sales for the second quarter of 2010 amounted to MOP 6.84 billion, up notably by 32% year-on-year. Retail sales of Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (MOP 1.64 billion) took the largest share of 24%, Goods in Department Stores (14%), Adults' Clothing (9%), Leather Goods (9%), Motor Vehicles (8%), Goods in Supermarkets (7%), Automotive Fuels (3%), Cosmetics & Sanitary Articles (3%) and Goods in Pharmacies (3%). In comparison with the revised figure (MOP 6.92 billion) for the first quarter, value of retail sales for the second quarter dropped by 1%, with marked decrease in retail sales of Communication Equipment (-17%) and Cosmetics & Sanitary Articles (-10%). In the first half year of 2010, total value of retail sales reached MOP 13.77 billion, up significantly by 35% year-on-year. In the second quarter of 2010, about 59% of the retailers reported decrease in the sales volume from the first quarter of 2010, up by 17 percentage points from those in the previous quarter; 41% reported that the sales volume remained stable or showed increase. In terms of retail prices, about 70% reported that the prices were stable, 12% claimed that the prices increased whereas 18% stated the prices decreased. Compared with the second quarter of 2009, about 72% expressed that the stock level was normal in the second quarter of 2010, while 19% indicated that the stock level was low. Regarding the business outlook for the third quarter of 2010, about 74% anticipate that the sales volume will increase or remain stable compared with the second quarter, while 26% expect a decrease. Meanwhile, about 84% predict that the retail prices will remain stable or increase whereas 16% expect a decrease. After removing the effect of price changes, volume of retail sales for the second quarter of 2010 rose by 25% year-on-year, with remarkable increase being observed in the sales volume of Motor Vehicles (+55%), Leather Goods (+52%), Adults' Clothing (+49%) and Goods in Department Stores (+36%). However, volume of retail sales registered a quarter-to-quarter decrease of 1%, with that of Communication Equipment and Cosmetics & Sanitary Articles falling by 16% and 11% respectively, while that of Motor Vehicles surging by 34%.
