Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that value of retail sales for the fourth quarter of 2011 reached MOP 12.55 billion, up by 44% year-on-year. Retail sales of Watches, Clocks & Jewellery amounted to MOP 3.81 billion (30% of total), which was followed by retail sales of Goods in Department Stores (15%), Leather Goods (11%), Adults' Clothing (9%) and Motor Vehicles (7%). Value of retail sales for the fourth quarter of 2011 increased by 15% compared with the revised figure (MOP 10.95 billion) of the third quarter, with notable increase being observed in sales of Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (+24%), Adults' Clothing (+19%), Leather Goods (+16%) and Goods in Department Stores (+16%). Value of retail sales for the whole year of 2011 reached MOP 43.34 billion, up substantially by 42% compared with MOP 30.59 billion in 2010, with noticeable increase in the retail sales of Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (+58%) and Leather Goods (+54%). After removing the effect of price changes, volume of retail sales for the fourth quarter of 2011 surged by 30% year-on-year, of which sales of Communication Equipment soared by 62%, Watches, Clocks & Jewellery by 44%, Leather Goods by 37%, Motor Vehicles by 35%, Goods in Pharmacies by 34% and Goods in Department Stores by 34%. For the whole year of 2011, volume of retail sales surged by 28% year-on-year, of which retail sales volume of Communication Equipment soared by 60% from 2010. Volume of retail sales increased by 11% quarter-to-quarter, with significant increase in sales of Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (+18%), Leather Goods (+15%) and Adults' Clothing (+14%), however, sales volume of Automotive Fuels registered a decrease of 2% quarter-to-quarter. In respect of the comments of the retailers, about 80% stated that sales volume in the fourth quarter of 2011 held stable or increased over the previous quarter, up by 12 percentage points compared with those holding the same sentiment in the third quarter; however, 20% reported a decrease in sales volume. In terms of the retail prices, about 63% reported stable prices, 24% stated an increase and 13% reported a decrease. In comparison with the same quarter of 2010, about 70% expressed that the stock level was normal in the fourth quarter of 2011, while 12% indicated that the stock level was low. As regards the business outlook for the first quarter of 2012, about 65% anticipate that sales volume will increase or remain stable from the fourth quarter of 2011, while 35% expect a decrease. Concurrently, about 21% predict an increase in retail prices, 67% expect stable prices and 12% expect a decrease.
