Retailers see sales volume edge higher in January

Jonathan Kent, Business Editor

Created: Jun 16, 2026 05:13 PM (Updated: Jun 16, 2026 05:13 PM)

Rise in demand: building materials stores recorded a 14 per cent sales volume increase in January (File photograph by Akil Simmons)

Retail sales volume edged 1.1 per cent higher in January, year over year, the Department of Statistics said today.

Six of the seven sectors in the Retail Sales Index recorded year-over-year increases in both sales volume and value indices.

Building materials stores experienced the largest sales gain seeing a 14.3 per cent year-over-year increase in volume. Food stores saw their inflation-adjusted sales climb 6.2 per cent.

Motor vehicle stores saw volume rise 5 per cent, while liquor stores saw a 4.1 per cent increase.

Edging higher: retail sales volume was higher in January than a year earlier (Graphic by the Department of Statistics)

Apparel stores’ sales volume climbed 2 per cent, although the value of their sales — not adjusted for inflation — leapt 8.8 per cent.

Services stations experienced a 2.5 per cent gain in sales volume.

In value terms, retail sales increased to an estimated $106.2 million, which represented a 4.3 per cent increase in sales value year-to-year. After adjusting for the 3.1 per cent inflation rate, sales volume climbed 1.1 per cent.

Excluding Sundays, there were 26 shopping days, the same as in January 2025.

Overseas declarations fell 1 per cent compared to January 2025. Imports via courier decreased by $0.9 million to $13 million, while imports by households via sea increased by $0.6 million to $8.3 million.