Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that value of retail sales for the third quarter of 2017 increased by 14.9% year-on-year to MOP16.18 billion and rose by 11.1% as compared with the revised figure (MOP14.56 billion) in the second quarter of 2017. Watches, Clocks & Jewellery accounted for 23.0% of the total value of retail sales, followed by Goods in Department Stores (14.8%), Adults’ Clothing (13.0%), Leather Goods (11.6%) and Goods in Supermarkets (6.8%).

In comparison with the third quarter of 2016, sales values of Communication Equipment (+30.6%), Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (+23.2%), Leather Goods (+21.7%), Adults’ Clothing (+20.4%) and Goods in Department Stores (+17.3%) registered growth, while values of Goods in Pharmacies (-5.5%) and Automotive Fuels (-4.9%) decreased. Moreover, sales value of Motorcycles, Parts & Accessories rose substantially by 50.0% due to increased demand for motor vehicles after the catastrophic typhoon on 23 August. Value of retail sales for the first three quarters of 2017 totalled MOP47.24 billion, up by 11.3% year-on-year.

After adjusting for price changes, volume of retail sales grew by 16.2% year-on-year in the third quarter, with notable increase being observed in volumes of Motorcycles, Parts & Accessories (+43.1%) and Communication Equipment (+40.5%). Meanwhile, sales volumes of Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (+29.5%), Adults’ Clothing (+21.8%), Leather Goods (+20.7%) and Goods in Department Stores (+18.9%) increased year-on-year, while volumes of Automotive Fuels (-9.2%) and Goods in Pharmacies (-6.4%) decreased. Volume of retail sales for the first three quarters of 2017 went up by 11.8% year-on-year.

Volume of retail sales for the third quarter of 2017 rose by 11.8% quarter-to-quarter, of which Motorcycles, Parts & Accessories (+61.1%), Adults’ Clothing (+21.3%) and Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (+16.8%) showed marked increase. On the other hand, sales volume of Goods in Pharmacies (-6.1%) decreased quarter-to-quarter.

In respect of retailers’ comments, 49.7% of the retailers expected the sales volume in the fourth quarter of 2017 to remain steady as compared with the same quarter in 2016, 38.5% anticipated a decrease and 11.8% forecasted an increase. Meanwhile, 71.4% of the retailers expected the retail prices to stay stable year-on-year in the fourth quarter, 16.0% anticipated an increase and 12.6% predicted a decrease. As compared with the third quarter of 2017, 38.5% of the retailers anticipated a stable business performance in the fourth quarter, 37.9% expected the business to worsen and 23.6% predicted an improvement.