Retail sales rose for the thirteenth month in a row in September, according to the latest Government statistics.

The year-on-year headline figure rose by 2.5 per cent, but, after adjustment for inflation, stood at 1.4 per cent.

And vehicle sales notched up it’s eighth monthly increase, up 8.9 per cent year on year, with an 11 per cent increase in sales in the sector.

Returning residents declared overseas purchases valued at $4.6 million — up 4.5 per cent compared to the same month last year.

There was a combined local and overseas spend of $89.5 million.

Receipts from food and liquor sales also went up by 7.1 per cent. Food sales were up 7.1 per cent, while liquor sales recorded a 3.8 per cent increase.

Sales volume in food stores went up 4.4 per cent, while volume sales for liquor rose 2.7 per cent.

But sales receipts for the all other types sector dropped slightly by 0.2 per cent — adjusted to 0.3 per cent allowing for inflation.

Sales of furniture, appliances and electronics declined by 8.9 per cent.

Gross receipts earned by tourist-related shops jumped by 23.7 per cent — mostly due to increased sales of jewellery.

Sales of boat and marine supplies went up by 9.3 per cent, while gross receipts at pharmacies rose by 1.7 per cent.

But shoppers bought fewer clothes, an area which saw a 2.4 per cent drop in sales revenue, reflecting a 3.6 per cent fall in sales volume.

Service stations also recorded a decrease, down 5.7 per cent. Although the volume of fuel sales increased by 2.2 per cent, it was offset by a 7.6 per cent drop in the price of fuel.

Building materials stores also recorded an 11.6 per cent fall, with lower sales due to the completion of large projects tempered by increased sales for smaller residential work.

When adjusted for inflation, the drop was 13.8 per cent.