The value of total retail sales in October, provisionally estimated at $33.8 billion, rose 5.6% compared with the same month in 2022.

After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate represents a 2.7% year-on-year increase.

Of the total retail sales value in October, online sales accounted for 11%. Provisionally estimated at $3.7 billion, the value of this segment went up by 8.4% compared with a year earlier.

The value of sales of jewellery, watches, clocks and valuable gifts increased 27.4%.

Increases were also recorded in the sales of other consumer goods not elsewhere classified (up 24.8% in value); food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (up 1.3%); apparel (up 29.9%); commodities in department stores (up 1%); medicines and cosmetics (up 23.5%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (up 1.8%); and footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (up 2.5%).

By contrast, the value of sales of electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified decreased 12.5% over a year earlier.

Sales also declined in some other categories, including supermarkets (down 5.8% in value); motor vehicles and parts (down 4.8%); fuels (down 17.3%); furniture and fixtures (down 24.8%); and Chinese drugs and herbs (down 2%).

Date: 2023.11.30