Sales for boat and marine supplies increased by 22 per cent in July, according to the latest Retail Sales Index figures released by the Ministry of Economy and Labour.

It was one of the few bright spots in the report, which recorded a fall in the volume of retail sales of 1.5 per cent, compared to the same month the previous year. In value terms, retail sales increased to an estimated $117.4 million, which represented a 1.9 per cent rise in sales value year-to-year.

Only three sectors recorded increases in volume and value in July.

Service stations reported the biggest increase in sales, going up by 4.6 per cent, while the value of products went up by 3.4 per cent.

Food stores saw the cost of goods go up by 7.4 per cent, while the amount of goods sold went up by 1.5 per cent.

Liquor sales saw small increases of 0.6 per cent in value and 0.1 per cent in volume. There was also a 1 per cent increase in value in the all other stores segment, which includes boat and marine supplies.

All other arenas recorded drops, the most significant in building materials, with the value plummeting by 22.8 per cent and the volume by 24.4 per cent. The amount of apparel sold went down by 6.1 per cent and the value by 1.5 per cent.

Meanwhile, overseas declarations increased 26.8 per cent compared with July 2023. Imports via courier went up $6.5 million to $22.7 million. Imports by households via sea increased $1.4 million to $9.9 million.

This increase was attributed to the higher importation of furniture, bedding, works of art, carpets and other floor coverings. Declarations at the airport by returning residents remained the same at $4.3 million. Imports via the Bermuda Post Office stayed at $0.5 million.

Excluding Sundays, there were 27 shopping days, one more than in July 2023 for the Retail Sales Index.