Retail sales in Bermuda experience lackluster response despite overall volume increase in November.

According to the November Retail Sales Index, the value of sales increased by 5.6%, or $5.7 million, to $98.1 million. However, much of this increase was due to the 6.1% retail inflation rate.

Although apparel stores saw a 2.2% increase in the value of sales, the volume of sales declined by 1.7% year-over-year in November, with a 33.4% drop compared to pre-pandemic levels in November 2019. Despite retailers' call to "buy Bermuda," sales volume in this sector has remained low.

On the other hand, liquor store sales volume increased by 3.2%, with a sales value increase of 1.2%, and sales of liquor rose by 14.8% compared to November 2019.