28/03/2024 - 09:19:38
You are here: HomeInformation on Economy and TradeRetail Sales Survey for the 1st Quarter 2019

Retail Sales Survey for the 1st Quarter 2019

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that value of retail sales for the first quarter of 2019 decreased by 1.9% year-on-year to MOP20.38 billion; yet, an increase of 2.6% was observed as compared with the revised figure (MOP19.87 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2018. In the first quarter, Watches, Clocks & Jewellery accounted for 20.9% of the total retail sales, followed by Goods in Department Stores (17.6%), Leather Goods (13.6%) and Adults’ Clothing (12.4%).

Among the major retail activities, sales values of Communication Equipment (-19.9%), Motor Vehicles (-16.7%) and Adults’ Clothing (-12.9%) saw notable year-on-year decrease in the first quarter. On the other hand, sales values of Goods in Department Stores and Goods in Supermarkets both recorded a growth of 8.6%.

After removing the effect of price changes, volume of retail sales fell by 2.1% year-on-year in the first quarter, with significant decline in the sales volumes of Motor Vehicles (-22.9%), Communication Equipment (-14.0%) and Adults’ Clothing (-13.6%). Meanwhile, sales volumes of Leather Goods (+7.7%), Goods in Department Stores (+6.0%) and Goods in Supermarkets (+6.0%) increased year-on-year.

In comparison with the previous quarter, sales values of Leather Goods, Goods in Department Stores and Goods in Supermarkets grew by 12.4%, 10.9% and 9.7% respectively in the first quarter of 2019. By contrast, sales values of Motor Vehicles (-24.7%) and Communication Equipment (-10.1%) recorded decrease. Volume of retail sales increased by 3.9% quarter-to-quarter; sales volumes of Leather Goods (+18.3%), Goods in Department Stores (+11.7%) and Goods in Supermarkets (+8.7%) rose notably, while sales volume of Motor Vehicles (-29.1%) showed marked decline.

In respect of retailers’ comments, 54.0% of the retailers anticipated the sales volume in the second quarter of 2019 to stay stable year-on-year, 28.6% forecasted a decrease and 17.4% expected an increase. Meanwhile, 75.4% of the retailers anticipated the retail prices to remain steady year-on-year in the second quarter, 13.1% foresaw a decrease and 11.5% predicted an increase. As compared with the first quarter of 2019, 46.0% of the retailers expected stable performance in the second quarter, 33.7% envisaged unfavourable business prospects and 20.3% predicted favourable outlook.

Related Information: Retail Sales Survey for the 1st Quarter 2019