Retail sales went up 4.4 per cent in January compared to the previous year.

Total spending, including $4.4 million in overseas purchases, totalled $89.4 million for the month.

Four out of the seven sectors saw increases in revenue, with motor vehicles leading the pack with a jump of more than 26 per cent.

After adjustment for inflation, measured at 2 per cent in January, the volume of retail sales increased by 2.3 per cent.

Sales receipts at service stations rose by 6.2 per cent, attributed to an 11.2 per cent increase in the cost of fuel, although the volume of fuel sold dropped by 4.5 per cent.

In the food and liquor sector, receipts from food sales rose by 3.4 per cent, while liquor sales dropped 1.3 per cent year over year.

The sales volume of food stores went up by 0.6 per cent and the sales volume for liquor stores was down 2.9 per cent.

The biggest loser of the month was building supplies stores, which saw a 10.9 fall in receipts compared to January 2015. Adjusted for inflation, the sales volume dropped 13 per cent.

The decline was linked to fewer purchases related to residential construction projects.

Sales revenue for clothing stores also fell, down by 3.1 per cent, with sales volume falling by 3.3 per cent, partly due to lower demand.

Sales receipts for the all other stores category rose 3.7 per cent compared to January last year.

Gross receipts for marine and boat suppliers went up 79.7 per cent as a result of a jump in sales of boats and boat accessories.

Sales of furniture, appliances and electronics also went up, by 9.5 per cent.

But gross receipts from pharmacies fell by 3.2 per cent, while receipts for tourist related stores dropped by 16.4 per cent.

Total sales volume in the category went up 3.9 per cent after adjustment for inflation.