Retail sales slip 3.2% in April
Retail sales volume fell 3.2 per cent in April, the first decline in six months, the Department of Statistics reported.
The sector to see the largest year-over-year sales drop was building materials stores, which recorded a 17.5 per cent fall, followed by apparel stores, down 6.7 per cent.
The Retail Sales Index showed that liquor stores logged the biggest increase in sales volume (up 6.1 per cent), while motor vehicle sales also edged 0.1 per cent higher.
Sales volume is adjusted for the rate of retail inflation, estimated at 4.5 per cent. So while the amount consumers spent actually rose year over year by 1.2 per cent to $113.2 million, overall sales volume fell for the first time since last November.
Food store sales volume was unchanged from a year earlier, sales value, reflecting takings in dollar terms, was up 2.6 per cent.
In the all other store types category, gross receipts from furniture sales dived 39.6 per cent. Pharmaceutical sales fell 2.5 per cent, while appliances and electronics sales increased 4.9 per cent. Boat and marine supplies sales surged 100.8 per cent.
Overseas declarations increased 0.3 per cent compared to April 2025. Imports via courier decreased $1.8 million to $16.4 million.
Imports by households via sea increased $1.4 million to $11.2 million due to the increased importation of furniture, prefabricated buildings, and boats, among other things.
Declarations at the airport by returning residents increased $0.4 million to $5.5 million. Imports via the Bermuda Post Office increased $0.1 million to $0.6 million.
April’s decrease snapped a positive streak during which retail sales volumes had risen for four months in succession between December 2025 and March 2026.
• See the Retail Sales Index report under Related Media
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