Macau restaurants are generally pessimistic about revenue, according to an official survey, while general retailers are more positive.
Of the restaurants surveyed by the Macau Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) in September, 63 per cent of respondents reported a year-on-year decline in revenue – 2 per cent more negative responses from the August survey.
About 62 per cent of “local-style cafes, congee and noodle shops” recorded a decrease, up by 14 per cent over August.
Only 21 per cent of 167 respondents reported an increase in revenue, up one point from the positive percentage in August.
DSEC says the survey shows that the “Western restaurants” and “Japanese and Korean restaurants” segments had 21 per cent and 6 per cent year-on-year revenue growth respectively.
Also surveyed, retail businesses were more positive. About 40 per cent of retailers interviewed reported year-on-year sales growth – up by 14 points over August.
The proportion of retailers recording a decrease dropped by 13 points to 57 per cent.
Sales were up in the DSEC categories of leather goods, adult clothing, and department stores and supermarkets. There were declines for “cosmetics and sanitary articles” and “watches, clocks and jewellery.
DSEC says the restaurant respondents accounted for about 53 per cent of the sector, while the retailers represented about 70 per cent of the sector.