5.2 percent more in real terms during September compared to the same period last year.

Gross revenues for the month were estimated at $43.4 million. The motor vehicle dealers and service station sector posted a gain of 15.8 percent for the month. After adjusting for inflation of 2.2 percent, the gain was 13.6 percent in real terms.

"Both car and bike sales were up and this was a combination of heavier advertising this year and soft sales last year,''the Statistics Department stated in a release.

Sales increased by 7.1 percent for stores in the general category due to strong demand for clothing and accessories. Sales of footware were flat, while demand for furniture and hardware was soft. Stores catering to tourists "did well'' in September, according to Statistics.

The total value of retail sales for the first nine months of the year was estimated at $381.4 mllion a 1.4 percent increase in real terms over the same period last year.