HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC) — Bermuda’s volume of retail sales index increased by 2.6 per cent in August last year as compared to the same period the previous year, while consumers paid 1.9 per cent more last year than they did a year ago for the basket of goods and services, the Ministry of Economy and Labour has said.

In its August 2025 Retail Sales and Consumer Price Index, the ministry said that with regard to the retail sales index, in value terms, retail sales increased to an estimated US$117.3 million.

It said four of the seven sectors recorded year-over-year volume index increases in August 2025, with food stores’ sales volume up 1.1 per cent, motor vehicle stores’ up 20.2 per cent, and apparel stores’ up 0.6 per cent.

The ministry said that in the “all other store types” sector, which includes stores selling household items, furniture, appliances, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and tourist-related goods, sales volume increased by 15.3 per cent.

Liquor stores’ sales volume decreased 7.9 per cent while service stations’ sales volume dropped 1.6 per cent. The sales volume for building material stores decreased by 21.5 per cent.

The Ministry of Economy and Labour said that with regard to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the level of inflation decreased 0.1 percentage points from the July 2025 annual inflation rate.