Retail sales volume dropped by more than 1 per cent in December last year — the second successive drop after 11 months of increases.

A 30.8 per cent jump in the automotive sector compared to the same month in 2014 contributed to the 0.5 per cent increase in retail sales for last December. The total number of vehicles sold also increased, up by 33.1 per cent.

But — after adjustment for inflation — retail sales volume showed a drop of 1.1 per cent in the biggest shopping month of the year.

The total spend for December was $114 million, including $6.8 million in overseas purchases declared by residents, the latter figure down 9.3 per cent on December 2014.

The vehicle sales sector was one of three out of seven sectors which recorded increased sales in Government’s monthly Retail Sales Index.

Service stations also saw an increase in sales receipts, up 7.3 per cent for the month.

The rise was due to a 10.9 per cent increase in the price of fuel, which offset a 3.3 per fall in the volume of fuel sold for the month.

Food and liquor store receipts strengthened by 4.3 per cent, although sales revenues for liquor dropped 0.6 per cent year on year.

The sales volumes for food went up 1.6 per cent, but liquor store sales volumes slipped 2.1 per cent.

And building materials suppliers saw a slump in sales of 13.5 per cent for the same period.

The all other store type category logged a decline of 8 per cent compared to December the year before and 7.9 per cent after adjustment for inflation.

Gross receipts for marine and boat supplies sank by 40.1 per cent due to fewer boat sales during the month.

Furniture, appliances and electronic sales dropped 17 per cent, while receipts for tourist-related stores fell 5 per cent.

But gross receipts for pharmacies went up by 0.8 per cent.

Sales revenue for clothing stores fell 2.9 per cent, which reflected a 4.2 per cent drop in sales volume, due partly to lower demand.