turnover for the month estimated at $44.4 million.

But local merchants said the pick-up was not significant, although they were starting to see marked improvements now.

Retail sales in all sectors increased 4.9 percent overall compared to last June. However, after adjusting for the rate of inflation, the increase was only 2.2 percent.

The motor vehicle sector saw the largest increase at 8.3 percent year-over-year, with both petrol and car sales up during the month.

Consumer demand for furniture, building supplies, liquor, food and personal care items also strengthened, but there was no marked upturn in the clothing and footwear sector.

Meanwhile, residents declared a whopping $1.75 million in overseas purchases in June, an increase of 8.7 percent year-over-year. To date, residents have declared nearly $10 million in overseas purchases.

The estimated total value of all retail sales for the first six months of 1993 was roughly $216 million, an increase of 1.9 percent compared to the same period last year.

The pick-up in consumer spending first emerged in April.

Despite the overall 8.3 percent increase that was registered in the motor vehicle sector, car dealers did not see any real improvement.

Nissan and Hyundai dealer Pearman Watlington said sales "were about the same'' in June, with Nissan sales declining slightly.

Ray Brothers vice president Mrs. Josie Ray said sales of Mazdas were slightly better than of Subarus.

But there had not been a significant increase in sales until this month. Mrs.

Ray noted there were a lot of second hand cars on the market with the draw down of the US and Canadian bases.

A spokesman for Master's, the dealer for Volkswagon, said sales were poor in June.

Local building supply company Baptiste Builders Supply said sales in general had improved since last year.

And an "acceptable'' increase was noted in June.

Head of the department store Trimingham's, Mr. Eldon Trimingham, said sales were "spotty'', with June being "fractionally better'' than it was last year.

Head of the Phoenix Stores chain Mr. Reid Young said June "was not a bad month''. Sales this year had definitely improved, he added.