Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that value of retail sales for the third quarter of 2012 totalled MOP 12.45 billion, up by 13% year-on-year. Retail sales of Watches, Clocks & Jewellery amounted to MOP 3.55 billion (28% of total), which was followed by retail sales of Goods in Department Stores (15%), Leather Goods (11%), Adults' Clothing (9%), Motor Vehicles (7%) and Goods in Supermarkets (7%).

Value of retail sales for the third quarter of 2012 decreased by 3% compared with the revised figure (MOP 12.82 billion) of the second quarter, with marked decrease being observed in sales of Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (-14%) and Motor Vehicles (-12%); however, retail sales of Cosmetics & Sanitary Articles and Goods in Pharmacies increased by 16% and 13% respectively. In the first three quarters of 2012, value of retail sales totalled MOP 38.49 billion, an increase of 24% compared with MOP 30.95 billion from a year earlier.

After removing the effect of price changes, volume of retail sales for the third quarter increased by 9% year-on-year, with notable increase in sales of Goods in Pharmacies (+18%), Goods in Supermarkets (+18%), Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (+12%) and Automotive Fuels (+12%). Volume of retail sales decreased by 1% quarter-to-quarter, of which sales of Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (-13%) and Motor Vehicles (-12%) saw significant decline; on the contrary, sales of Cosmetics & Sanitary Articles and Goods in Pharmacies increased by 14% and 12% respectively.

In respect of the comments of the retailers, about 70% stated that sales volume in the third quarter increased or held stable over the previous quarter, up by 5 percentage points compared with those holding the same sentiment in the second quarter, while 30% reported decrease in sales volume. In terms of the retail prices, about 62% reported stable prices, 23% stated an increase and 15% stated a decrease.

In comparison with the same quarter of 2011, about 76% expressed that the stock level was normal in the third quarter, while 11% indicated that the stock level was low.

As regards business outlook for the fourth quarter, about 82% anticipate that sales volume will increase or remain stable from the second quarter, while 18% expect a decrease. Concurrently, about 69% predict stable retail prices, 26% expect an increase, while 5% predict a decrease in retail prices.