sales during October, the latest Government figures show.

Following an increase of 15.5 percent in September, the Motor Vehicle Dealers and Service Station sector reported that sales were down by 7.2 percent.

The news comes in the Ministry of Finance's Statistics Department Retail Sales Index for October. The total value of retail sales during the month increased by 1.6 percent but the volume of sales fell 1.1 percent after inflation for the month (2.8 percent) was taken into account.

Meanwhile the 26 shopping days during the month attributed to a gross turnover of $47.5 million.

Car dealers reported strong sales in September and posted an increase of 37.6 percent. However their stock levels in October were down following this and this contributed to the decline.

Petrol sales were up moderately thanks to the previous month's increase in car sales being felt at the pumps. Elsewhere by category, food sales recorded the largest increase with a six percent jump. And liquor sales were up 1.6 percent.

General stores recorded a boost in sales of 1.8 percent although individual stores posted mixed results. Leading the way were appliance and hardware stores which continued to post healthy gains. Several store types recorded flat sales including pharmacies, furniture stores and stores which cater generally to the local market.

But department stores and smaller outlets which cater mainly to visitors recorded a decline in sales. Also in the news from the statistics department, spending by residents returning from overseas increased -- but at a slower pace. The value of purchases stood at $2.48 million, 2.1 percent more than the figure recorded in October 1998.

BUSINESS BUC