Today the Minister for the Cabinet Office the Hon. Walton Brown, JP, MP, released the December 2018 Retail Sales Index (RSI) report from the Department of Statistics. The December 2018 RSI now shows categories of selected overseas declarations that represent a combination of goods purchased directly from overseas, such as online shopping.

The Minister explained, “After adjusting for the retail sales rate of inflation, measured at 2.0 per cent in December, the overall volume of local retail sales fell 5.3 per cent."

The Minister continued, “The December 2018 Retail Sales Index publication now shows categories of selected overseas declarations that represent a combination of goods purchased directly from overseas, online shopping, gifts, etc.”

The Minister further noted, “Declarations by returning residents via the airport declined 4.1 per cent million to $7.0 million. However, imports by households via sea more than doubled to $2.2 million. Imports via courier and via the post office remained unchanged at $10.6 million and $0.6 million, respectively”
Highlighted below are the December 2018 year-over-year changes for each of the seven local retail sectors:

• Building Material Stores’ sales volume declined 16.3 per cent.
• Apparel Stores’ sales volume decreased 15.2 per cent.
• Motor Vehicle Stores’ sales volume fell 7.8 per cent.
• Liquor Stores’ sales volume declined 4.4 per cent.
• All Other Store Types’ sales volume declined 3.5 per cent.
• Service Stations’ sales volume weakened 3.1 per cent.
• Food Stores’ sales volume declined 2.7 per cent.

The December 2018 Retail Sales Index publication is available online at https://www.gov.bm/retail-sales-index-rsi.