Retailers suffered further misery as sales fell by 3.6 percent in volume during April driven by continuing declines in the motor vehicle and building materials sectors.Sales in most store categories dropped, however service stations and food and liquor store sales rose for the month.Despite the overall decline, the fall was the smallest recorded in more than a year.Meanwhile overseas purchases were $6.1 million the same as a year previously.Motor vehicle sales fell 18.5 percent, with the volume of cars down 15.4 percent.The decline was offset by a 20.3 percent increase in the quantity of motorcycles sold during the month.Sales of building materials were also 9.2 percent lower than in April 2010, reflecting a weaker demand for construction materials and hardware supplies due to reduced building contracts.All other store types recorded a six percent drop in sales revenue. Furniture, appliances and electronics fell 11.3 percent for the month, sales receipts for boat and marine supply retailers declined by 6.9 percent and tourist-related retailers dropped by 6.8 percent over the same period. Pharmaceutical sales fell by 0.4 percent in April.Meanwhile, apparel retailers reported a 1.9 percent decline in sales.Elsewhere the service station sector climbed by 4.6 percent, partly due to a 15 percent rise in gas prices.Gross receipts from food stores were up 6.7 percent, with liquor sales increasing by 5.4 percent, driven by stronger consumer demand over Easter.