Results of Retail Sales Survey for the 4th Quarter 2012

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that value of retail sales for the fourth quarter of 2012 totalled MOP 14.32 billion, up by 14% year-on-year. Retail sales of Watches, Clocks & Jewellery amounted to MOP 4.08 billion (28% of total), which was followed by retail sales of Goods in Department Stores (15%), Leather Goods (11%), Adults' Clothing (10%) and Motor Vehicles (7%).

Value of retail sales for the fourth quarter of 2012 increased by 15% quarter-to-quarter, with marked increase being observed in sales of Footwear (+36%), Adults Clothing (+33%) and Cosmetics & Sanitary Articles (+28%); however, retail sales of Automotive Fuels and Goods in Pharmacies decreased by 5% and 3% respectively. For the whole year of 2012, value of retail sales reached MOP 52.85 billion, up by 22% year-on-year.

After removing the effect of price changes, volume of retail sales for the fourth quarter increased by 11% year-on-year, with notable increase in sales of Cosmetics & Sanitary Articles (+30%), Adults Clothing (+23%), Motor Vehicles (+19%) and Goods in Supermarkets (+17%). Meanwhile, volume of retail sales increased by 12% quarter-to-quarter, of which sales of Footwear (+37%), Cosmetics & Sanitary Articles (+28%) and Adults Clothing (+27%) saw significant increase; on the contrary, sales of Automotive Fuels and Goods in Pharmacies decreased by 5% and 4% respectively. For the whole year of 2012, volume of retail sales increased by 16% year-on-year.

In respect of the comments of the retailers, about 69% stated that sales volume in the fourth quarter increased or held stable over the previous quarter, down by 1 percentage point compared with those holding the same sentiment in the third quarter, while 31% reported decrease in sales volume. In terms of the retail prices, about 63% reported stable prices, 31% stated an increase and 6% stated a decrease.

In comparison with the same quarter of 2011, about 74% expressed that the stock level was normal in the fourth quarter of 2012, while 6% indicated that the stock level was low.

As regards business outlook for the first quarter of 2013, about 78% anticipate that sales volume will increase or remain stable from a quarter earlier, while 22% expect a decrease. Concurrently, about 71% predict stable retail prices, 24% expect an increase, while 5% predict a decrease in retail prices.

Source : Statistics and Census Service