percent increase over the same month last year.

But with a two percent adjustment for inflation, the total volume of retail sales was less than half a percentage point higher for the period.

The total value of retail sales for the first six months of the year was $242.8 million, a nominal increase of 2.1 percent over the same six months last year.

After allowing for price increases over the same period, the volume of retail sales increase was a negligible 0.1 percent.

Residents returning from overseas declared $1.81 million worth of goods, a nine percent drop over the comparative month last year, when residents declared $1.99 million, 8.7 percent higher than June, 1995.

A comparison of the main sectors of the retail sales index showed a five percent increase in gross revenue flows in the general retail sector.

Clothing and footwear sales were up, while sales of pharmaceuticals and personal care products increased moderately. There were also higher outlays on durable items such as appliances, furniture and building, and hardware supplies. Aggregate receipts for the motor vehicle and service station sector increased 7.5 percent year-over-year, with both car and motorcycle sales strong during the month. There was an overall decline in petrol sales.

Food and liquor posted annual declines in gross receipts of 2.3 percent and 1.8 percent, respectively. There was one less shopping day in the month this year.

GOVERNMENT GVT