Information from the Macau’s Statistics and Census Service indicated that value of retail sales for the third quarter of 2010 amounted to MOP 7.54 billion (USD942.9 million, up notably by 35 percent year on year.
Retail sales of watches, clocks and jewellery (MOP 1.92b, about USD240.1m) took the largest share of 25 percent, which was followed by sales of goods in department stores (14 percent), leather goods (10 percent), adults’ clothing (8 percent), goods in supermarkets (8 percent), motor vehicles (8 percent), cosmetics and sanitary articles (3 percent), automotive fuels (3 percent), goods in pharmacies (3 percent) and communication equipment (3 percent).
In comparison with the revised figure (MOP 6.86b, about USD857.9m) in the second quarter of 2010, value of retail sales for the third quarter increased by 10 percent, with marked increase in the retail sales of cosmetics and sanitary articles (+19 percent), leather goods (+18 percent), communication equipment (+17 percent), goods in supermarkets (+17 percent) and watches, clocks and jewellery (+15 percent).
In the third quarter of 2010, about 43 percent of the retailers reported decrease in the sales volume from the second quarter, down by 16 percentage points from the previous quarter; 57 percent reported that the sales volume remained stable or showed increase. In terms of retail prices, about 55 percent reported that the prices were stable; 19 percent stated that the prices increased whereas 26 percent reported the prices decreased.
Compared with the third quarter of 2009, about 51percent expressed that the stock level was normal in the third quarter of 2010, while 28 percent indicated that the stock level was low.
Regarding the business outlook for the fourth quarter of 2010, about 78 percent of the retailers anticipate that the sales volume will increase or remain stable compared with the third quarter, while 22 percent expect a decrease. Meanwhile, about 89 percent predict that the retail prices will remain stable or increase whereas 11 percent forecast a decrease.