Information from the Statistics and Census Service showed that the value of retail sales for the fourth quarter of 2007 was estimated at MOP4.2 billion. Retail sales of watches, clocks & jewellery took the largest share of 17% of the total, which was followed by sales of motor vehicles (13%), goods in department stores (12%), goods in supermarkets (9%) and adults' clothing (9%).

The value of retail sales in the fourth quarter of 2007 registered an increase of 16% compared with the MOP3.6 billion in the preceding quarter. As against the MOP3.0 billion sales in the fourth quarter of 2006, the value of retail sales in this quarter grew remarkably by 40%.

Total value of retail sales for the whole year of 2007 reached MOP14.2 billion, up by 33% over 2006, with notable increase in the sales of watches, clocks & jewellery (+54%), adults' clothing (+39%), goods in department stores (+30%), and motor vehicles (+30%).

In the fourth quarter of 2007, about 44% of the interviewed retailers reported decrease in the sales volume from the third quarter, up by 10 percentage points over the findings in the previous quarter; 56% reported that the sales volume remained stable or increased. In terms of retail prices, about 57% and 27% reported the prices were stable and showed increase whereas 16% reported the prices decreased.

Compared with the fourth quarter of 2006, about 68% said that the stock level was normal in this quarter, while 21% indicated that the stock level was low.

Regarding the business prospect for the first quarter of 2008, about 69% expected the sales volume to increase or remain stable compared with the fourth quarter of 2007, and 31% expected it to decrease. Meanwhile, about 86% expected the retail prices in the first quarter of 2008 to remain stable or increase, while 14% expected them to decrease.