Stores on the Island have seen sales grow in April, with the Retail Sales Index rising seven percent in real terms during the month.

Consumers spent $4.3 million more in April 2003, than a year earlier, reaching a total of $44.5 million, with all sectors seeing higher sales.

Before inflation (3.3 percent) was taken into account, retail sales increased 10.5 percent year-on-year, taking the index up to 134.3 percentage points compared to 121.5 a year earlier.

“Pre-Easter shopping and a strong surge in the purchases of motor vehicles helped generate an estimated gross turnover roughly $44.5 million in the retail industry,” said the report form the Department of Statistics.

The motor vehicle sector experienced the strongest movement in retail sales, growing 20 percent compared to the same period last year. The Statistics Department attributed the large jump to, in part, lower than average sales performance in April 2002.

“However there were other auto distributors that attributed increased levels to higher inventory comprising of newer model cars,” added the report, which was released yesterday.

Within the “apparel” sector, the majority of stores reported double digit percentage increases in sales which was attributed to promotional sales, the opening of new branch stores and improved marketing techniques contributed to a 12.7 percent increase over the previous year's level.

Liquor store receipts also jumped 12.5 percent during the month while food store sales rose 7.2 percent, both of which were attributed to Easter falling in April and not March this year.

But a rise in the cost of liquor also contributed to the rise in receipts.

Gross revenue for the “all other store type” rose by 10.9 percent, and again this was due to Easter falling later this year.

“Big ticket items such as home appliances and entertainment equipment were in strong demand as combined sales increased 13.9 percent year-over-year,” added the report.

The increase in the service station sector was 6.8 percent, with some petrol dealers reporting increased sales due partly to higher prices at the pump.

The sale of building material increased 4.4 percent with the on-going business in the construction industry leading to higher spending on building and hardware supplies - in particular the sale of lumber.

Residents returning to the Island from overseas business and vacation trips during April 2003 declared purchases of goods valued at $3.21 million. This level of overseas spending was 4.8 percent below the level declared in April 2002.

There were 25 shopping days in April 2003, one less than in April 2002.