Motor vehicle sales plummeted by 44.7 per cent, in terms of volume, in March, contributing to an overall 5.4 per cent drop in the volume of retail sales for the month, compared to the corresponding month in 2017.

Five of the seven retails sectors declined by volume during the month, after adjusting for the retail sales rate of inflation of 2.4 per cent.

In value terms, there was a 3 per cent drop for the month, to an estimated $93.1 million. Residents declared overseas purchases of $3.4 million, which was 8.1 per cent lower, year-on-year, bringing the combined local and overseas spending total to $96.5 million.

The figures have been calculated by the Bermuda Government’s Department of Statistics for its Retail Sales Index covering March.

Sales of motor vehicles, in terms of value, were down 44 per cent, while receipts of the sale of building materials decreased 19 per cent in volume, and 18.9 per cent in value, reflecting lower demand for construction goods compared to a year ago when there was a boost in sales related to America’s Cup projects.

Fuel sales at gas stations were down 4 per cent in volume, however the value of those sales was 1.4 per cent higher partly due to a 5.7 per cent rise n the price of fuel.

Apparel sales were 3.7 per cent lower in volume, and 3.2 per cent down in value.

In volume terms, sales for all other store types declined 2 per cent, while in value terms there was a 0.5 per cent increase.

Marine and boat suppliers saw a drop of 56.4 per cent due to fewer boat sales, while sales of furniture, appliances and electronics were down 3.3 per cent.

Pharmacies enjoyed a 5.8 per cent increase in sales, and there was a 23.3 per cent increase in miscellaneous sales.

The volume of sales for food stores rose 3.6 per cent, and for liquor stores was up 2.8 per cent. In terms of value, food stores’ sales receipts were up 5.8 per cent, and liquor sales grew 9.3 per cent. The positive sales growth was due partly to Easter holiday falling two weeks earlier compared to 2017.