Retail sales during the month of October soared as residents re-stocked their cupboards and repaired their homes after the ravages of Hurricane Fabian.

According to figures published by Government, the volume of Bermuda?s retail sales increased year over year 8.8 percent even after accounting for high inflation rates of 3.4 percent for the month.

?During the month of October, the impact of Hurricane Fabian on consumer spending was realised, notably in the food, building materials and motor vehicles sectors,? said the release from the Department of Statistics.

Overseas spending plummeted by 48.8 percent during this month reflecting the consumer?s shift in priority from overseas travel to domestic concerns, added the Government report.

Before inflation was factored in, the value of retail sales increased 12.5 percent year-over-year with consumers spending a total of $47.5 million, up $5.3 million on the same month a year earlier. The amount spent in food stores jumped nine percent compared to the previous years? level ?as consumers continued to re-stock their pantries to normal levels in the aftermath of Hurricane Fabian?.

Liquor sales also rose by 8.3 percent during the month, but the strong increase was due in part to a 1.1 percent rise in the cost of wine. And in the service station sector petrol sales were down 0.3 percent compared to the same time last year and the cost of petrol fell on average for the third month in a row.

The second largest hike was in building and hardware, which rose 15 percent compared to October 2002.

?Consumers increased their purchases of building materials to repair and restore damaged homes and properties caused by Hurricane Fabian,? said the report.

?Sales were significantly higher in paint supplies and slabs of slate for roofs.? Gross revenues for ?all other store type? sector rose 9.6 percent year-over-year in October this year with sales for household goods such as appliances in high demand.

But this was offset by a 7.6 percent decline in sales of goods from tourist related stores as visitor arrivals during the month of October were lower than in the previous year. The largest increase in sales was in the motor vehicle sector, where gross receipts jumped 39.9 percent over the same month a year ago.

?A combination of factors resulting from the impact of Hurricane Fabian contributed to this strong rise in motor vehicle sales,? said the report.

?There was the delay in the September shipment of vehicles which boosted stock levels. As a result pre-order sales scheduled for September shifted to the month of October. ?Additionally, strong auto sales was due in part to the replacement of and repairs to severely damaged vehicles as consumers made claims on their motor vehicle insurance.?

In the apparel store sector retailers reported an increase in sales of 7.4 percent in October of this year.