Cathy Stovell. But consumers appeared to have concentrated on buying food, liquor and vehicles since more than half the retail stores in other areas of the sector reported lower sales figures.

The latest statistics released by the Government Statistics Department show sales rose 7.9 percent year over year.

Gross turnover estimated at $50.7 million for the month, covered activity for the same number of shopping days as in April of last year.

After adjusting for the rate of inflation the volume of sales increased five percent.

Local residents spent much of their Easter shopping on food and liquor.

Grocery purchases rose 14.4 percent while liquor store sales were estimated to be 11.2 percent higher than the previous year's level.

Sales were a bit flat in the remainder of the sector rising only .1 percent above the level of sales reached in April 1999.

In the motor vehicle dealers and service station sector, gross receipts increased a strong 23.2 percent year-over-year.

Both vehicle and petrol sales were up during the month.

The rising cost of fuel contributed to the increased sales of petrol while auto dealers with higher stocks of inventory, experienced healthy gains in sales.

Residents returning from overseas vacation and business trips during April 2000 declared purchases of goods valued at $3.03 million -- a 7.8 percent increase year-over-year.

BUSINESS BUC