January increased in real terms by 7.3 percent, after adjusting for inflation, compared to the same period last year.

The Statistics Department measured inflation at two percent in January. Gross turnover for the month was estimated at 38.3 million, compared to 34.9 million in January 1997.

Motor vehicle dealers and service stations sales bounced back in real terms by 15.4 percent compared to January 1997, after declining in December.

"Dealers reported that some models experienced a significant increase in sales,'' Statistics reported. "In anticipation of the demand, some dealers increased their inventory. In spite of the increase in vehicle sales, petrol sales were down marginally.'' For the second month in a row food sales increased by 5.5 percent in real terms. Statistics attributed the increase to special promotions. Liquor sales increased by 1.3 percent.

Meanwhile stores in the general category had a 4.4 percent increase in sales.

"Much of the increase can be attributable to the annual post-Christmas sales held by many stores,'' Statistics reported. "Furniture and hardware stores lost grown, however, with sales marginally down.''