Retail sales jumped 8.1% in October on back of robust car sales

Car sales shot up 44.1%.

Vehicle retailers recorded another good month in October. A robust 44.1% year-on-year jump in car sales cause overall retail sales to climb 8.1% in October, data from the Department of Statistics showed today.

Retail sales of telecommunications apparatus & computers recorded an increase in sales of 19.6% in October.

Similarly, retail sales of medical goods & toiletries, food & beverages, department stores, supermarkets, optical goods & books, watches & jewellery and mini-marts & convenience stores rose between 1.5% and 6.6%.

In contrast, retail sales of furniture & household equipment, recreational goods and petrol service stations declined between 3.6% and 6.6%. Retailers of wearing apparel & footwear also reported lower sales of 0.6% in October 2014 over October 2013.