Retail sales on the island slumped by nearly 4.5 percent in September compared to the same month last year, the latest Government figures have revealed.

But — after adjusting for inflation, measured at two percent in September — the volume of retail sales fell by 6.3 percent.

Buyers spent a total of $78.8 million in retail stores in September and $4.9 million overseas — a total of $83.7 million.

The retail sales index report said all retail sectors experienced a decline compared to the same period last year — except car dealers and clothing stores, which logged a 0.1 percent increase.

It added: “Retailers of building materials recorded the largest decline in sales of 17.2 percent. In contrast, motor vehicle sales increased 18 percent.”

The report said the slump in building material sales was explained by “the decline in consumer demand for building supplies related to residential and contract projects”.

Sales receipts at the island’s gas stations also fell by seven percent in September — attributed in part to lower fuel sales per litre.

Food sales also dropped 3.8 percent compared to September 2012 — but the report pointed out that hurricane fears had prompted a spike in purchases last September.

Liquor sales also dropped — down by more that 12 percent.

The report said that all other store types saw an average 7.3 percent drop during September — with furniture, appliances and electronics falling by 12.2 percent.

It added: “Gross receipts for tourist-related stores fell 7.5 percent. Pharmaceutical sales declined 1.9 percent, while sales for boat and marine supplies slipped 1.2 percent”.

Overseas purchases also fell compared to September 2012, down by 9.3 percent.

The report said: “Lower outlays on clothing and footwear, electronics and photographic equipment were the main contributors to the overall decline in the total value of declarations”.

The report added that the decline in declared overseas purchases “may have been partly due to the HM Customs green/red channels system for declaring goods at the airport introduced in November 2012”.

Only January, May and July showed increases in total retail sales this year compared to the corresponding periods of last year, of between 1.3 percent and 4.1 percent.