falling 5.2 percent as motor vehicle sales and liquor store receipts plunged compared to the same period a year earlier.

Government said the value of retail sales fell 2.9 percent to an estimated $36.2 million in March.

But overseas purchases by returning residents posted their second straight steep increase, rising 16.2 percent to $1.58 million in the same period. In February they rose 17.5 percent compared to the same month in 1994.