More Bermudians bought new cars in July 2000 -- perhaps upgrading for air-conditioning to help beat the summer heat. Car dealers received new vehicle shipments during the month and saw sales increase almost ten percent.

Conversely liquor sales dropped off as there were less holiday festivities.

The figures are contained in the monthly retail sales index just released.

The motor vehicle and service station sector of the index was the main contributor to the total value of the index increasing 3.7 percent year over year in July.

Gross turnover in the retail sector was estimated at $56.9 million for the month and after adjusting for consumer price inflation, gross sales increased 1.4 percent in real terms.

Sales revenue for the motor vehicle sector rose 9 percent to stand at $292.8 million. Car sales saw an increase of 9.6 percent. More fuel was sold in July (an increase of 7.3 percent) and at higher prices. This provided a strong boost to revenue in the sector.

Retail stores took in $234.8 million in revenue for the month, an increase of 3.5 percent. The rise was due partly to an additional Saturday during the month.

According to Government's statistics department consumer demand was for big-ticket items during the month. Home furniture and home appliance sales rose significantly and marine sales were higher than those in July 1999.

While local shopping sales increased, so did overseas spending by locals and the amount spent overseas rose more than the local increase.

Overseas spending by residents returning to the Island from vacation and business trips was estimated at $2.56 million, an 8.9 percent increase over July 1999.

But the additional Saturday shopping day also help boost sales in the food stores sector of the index as people bought their groceries. Food store sales increased 3.3 percent to $279.3 million for the month.

In contrast, liquor store sales fell 4.4 percent below the level reached last year. The downturn was caused as the Cup Match holiday fell in August instead of July, this year.