Macau retail sales fell by 0.8 per cent year on year to MOP17.86 billion (US$2.21 billion) in the second quarter.

On a quarter-on-quarter basis, sales fell 12.7 per cent, although is likely impacted by the timing of Lunar New Year. 

The volume of retail sales – which excludes price fluctuations – fell by 0.5 per cent quarter on quarter.

The SAR’s Statistics and Census Service, says Macau retail sales of apparel, watches, clocks and jewellery registered the most notable declines. Sales of fuels and department-store goods rose during the same period.

Macau business outlook skewed to the negative during the period, with only 13.8 per cent of retailers predicting good performance in the third quarter.