Retail sales for March have showed a jump of 3.8 percent over the same period last year with gross turnover hitting $42.9 million.

After adjusting for inflation the total volume of retail sales increased one percent over the year.

The Government figures are more impressive considering there were 25 shopping days in March, two less than the same period last year.

During the first quarter the total value of retail sales increased 2.5 percent compared to the same period last year.

With inflation measured at 2.4 percent during this period the retail sector experienced fractional growth in volume sales.

The figures were fuelled by a surge in alcohol sales. Liquor stores experienced a 9.5 percent upward movement in aggregate sales for this sector.

In the service station sector, petrol sales were relatively the same but gross receipts went up fractionally by 0.1 percent year over year.

Apparel store sales remained flat with nearly half the stores experiencing lower sales compared with March 2001 as the impact of temporary store closures, low stocks in inventory and downsizing occurred during March 2002.

Increased sales posted by the remainder of the stores directly offset the downward movement causing no change in sales activity at the sector level.

The motor trade saw gross receipts for car and bikes sales up by 3.5 percent however varying changes in stock levels softened the volume of sales for auto dealers.

Gross revenue flows in all the other stores types increased by 6.1 percent. Sales for furniture and home furnishings continued to rise due to seasonal clearance sales held by some retailers.

Spending on pharmaceutical products and personal care supplies increased a strong 14.5 percent while tourist related sales rose by 5.5 percent.

In contrast consumer spending on items on boat and marine supplies and appliances and electronic goods contracted 10.4 percent and 4.3 percent respectively.

Building and hardware stores reported an increase in gross receipts of 1.6 percent year over year. There were mixed performances in retail sales across all reporting outlets.

Gross sales for food stores rose 4.7 percent during the month. Returning residents declared $2.26 million of overseas purchases for March 2002 - a decline of 4.6 percent year-on-year.