fewer transactions compared to the same period last year.

The total value of retail sales were estimated to be in the region of $47.1 million for the month of June an increase of 0.1 per cent over last year.

However, when the 2.0 per cent inflation is factored in, the volume of retail sales decreased to 1.8 per cent.

Motor vehicle and service stations reported annual decreases in gross revenues with the largest decline in car sales.

Auto dealers also said that while the demand for motorcycles had increased during June, there was a marked decline in consumer demand for higher priced cars.

Retailers selling clothing, shoes, pharmaceuticals and appliances experienced declines but these were offset in sectors that catered to building and hardware supplies, furniture and boats.

Overall gross receipts for this sector rose 0.6 per cent above the level reached in June 1995.

In the other sectors of the index, food sales increased 4.5 per cent while average receipts from liquor stores fell fractionally at 0.7 per cent.

There was an estimated $132.4 million worth of retail sales for the second quarter of 1996. When price increases are factored in, the volume of retail sales increased 0.5 per cent during the quarter.