By Chen Cheng-hui /
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Retail and food and beverage sales last month hit record levels for July as they rose annually for the sixth consecutive month amid moderate expansion of consumer spending, Ministry of Economic Affairs data released yesterday showed.Retail sales increased 7.7 percent from a year earlier to NT$418.3 billion (US$13.13 billion), benefiting from a gradual recovery in the auto market, entertainment and shopping during the summer break, and diverse marketing activities by businesses, the ministry said in a report.The ministry had forecast that retail sales would grow 8.4 to 11.4 percent from a year earlier.
People look at products in a store in New Taipei City on July 8.
Last month’s growth was led by a 12.6 percent rise in purchases of cars, motorcycles, auto parts and accessories, while sales at department stores rose 9.6 percent, and receipts at computer and home appliance stores grew 12.5 percent, the report said.Big-box stores, convenience stores, and e-commerce and mail-order operators also contributed to sales growth, rising 10.3 percent, 4.2 percent and 5.9 percent respectively, it said.
