Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that value of retail sales for the second quarter of 2015 amounted to MOP 14.26 billion, down by 12% compared with the revised figure of MOP 16.28 billion in the first quarter. Retail sales of Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (MOP 2.98 billion) accounted for 21% of the total, which was followed by retail sales of Goods in Department Stores (14%), Adults' Clothing (10%), Leather Goods (10%), Goods in Supermarkets (8%) and Motor Vehicles (6%).

In comparison with the second quarter of 2014, value of retail sales for the second quarter of 2015 decreased by 13%, with marked decrease being observed in sales of Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (-29%), Motor Vehicles (-29%), Leather Goods (-22%), Adults' Clothing (-16%) and Goods in Department Stores (-15%). On the other hand, sales of Communication Equipment (+37%) and Cosmetics & Sanitary Articles (+20%) showed notable increase. Value of retail sales for the first half year of 2015 totalled MOP 30.54 billion, down by 12% year-on-year.

After removing the effect of price changes, volume of retail sales for the second quarter of 2015 decreased by 13% quarter-to-quarter, with marked decrease in sales of Footwear (-25%), Adults' Clothing (-25%), Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (-20%), Communication Equipment (-14%), Goods in Department Stores (-12%) and Motor Vehicles (-11%). Meanwhile, volume of retail sales for the second quarter decreased by 10% year-on-year, of which sales of Motor Vehicles (-28%), Watches, Clocks & Jewellery (-25%), Leather Goods (-19%), Adults' Clothing (-17%) and Goods in Department Stores (-17%) recorded notable decline; however, sales of Communication Equipment and Cosmetics & Sanitary Articles surged by 39% and 20% respectively. Volume of retail sales for the first half year of 2015 decreased by 10% year-on-year.

In respect of the comments of the retailers, about 67% stated that sales volume in the second quarter of 2015 decreased over the previous quarter, up by 8 percentage points compared with the corresponding figure in the first quarter of 2015, while 33% reported increased or stable sales volume. In terms of the retail prices, about 58% reported stable prices, 33% noted a decrease and 9% stated an increase. Moreover, about 58% of the retailers expressed that the stock level remained stable compared with the second quarter of 2014, while 21% indicated that the stock level decreased.

As regards business outlook for the third quarter of 2015, about 46% of the retailers anticipate that sales volume will decrease from the second quarter, 37% expect sales volume to remain stable, while 17% expect an increase. Concurrently, about 67% predict stable retail prices, 28% expect a decrease, while 5% predict an increase in retail prices.