Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that value of retail sales for the third quarter of 2016 amounted to MOP 13.57 billion, down by 7.4% year-on-year, a slowdown from the declines in the first two quarters; meanwhile, value of retail sales rose by 3.2% compared with the revised figure of MOP 13.15 billion in the second quarter of 2016. Retail sales of Watches, Clocks & Jewellery accounted for 20.0% of the total retail sales, followed by sales of Goods in Department Stores (15.1%), Adults' Clothing (11.7%), Leather Goods (11.3%) and Goods in Supermarkets (7.7%).

In comparison with the third quarter of 2015, notable decline was observed in the retail sales of Motor Vehicles (-38.7%) and Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (-21.2%) on account of slowdown in demand; meanwhile, sales of Goods in Supermarkets (-6.6%) and Goods in Department Stores (-5.8%) also decreased. On the other hand, sales of Leather Goods (+14.7%) and Automotive Fuels (+10.5%) showed marked growth. Value of retail sales for the first three quarters of 2016 totalled MOP 41.53 billion, down by 9.4% year-on-year.

After removing the effect of price changes, volume of retail sales for the third quarter of 2016 rebounded by 3.4% quarter-to-quarter, with notable increase in sales of Motorcycles, Parts & Accessories (+31.2%), Automotive Fuels (+22.6%), Motor Vehicles (+16.3%) and Leather Goods (+12.1%); however, sales of Communication Equipment (-18.1%) and Furniture & Lighting (-18.1%) registered quarter-to-quarter decrease.

Volume of retail sales decreased by 5.9% year-on-year in the third quarter. Sales volume of Motor Vehicles (-42.2%), Motorcycles, Parts & Accessories (-39.9%) and Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (-24.6%) recorded significant decline, while that of Leather Goods (+32.0%) and Automotive Fuels (+17.6%) showed marked increase. Volume of retail sales for the first three quarters of 2016 decreased by 7.6% year-on-year.

In respect of retailers’ comments, 46.5% of the retailers anticipated that sales volume in the fourth quarter of 2016 will remain stable compared with the same quarter of 2015 while 45.1% forecasted a decrease and 8.4% expected an increase. Meanwhile, 80.0% of the retailers anticipated stable retail prices in the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to the same quarter of 2015, 14.3% expected a decrease, and 5.7% predicted an increase. Moreover, 42.0% of the retailers anticipated the business will worsen in the fourth quarter of 2016 compared with the third quarter, 32.4% expected the business to remain stable, and 25.6% expected an improvement.