Macao's total value of retail sales reached 2.45 billion patacas (306 million U.S. dollars) in the first quarter, a year-on-year rise of 15 percent, according to official statistics issued on Monday.

The figures released by the government-run Statistics and Census Service (SCS) showed that retail sales of motor vehicles, watches, clocks, jewellery and department store goods accounted for 12 percent of the total value in the quarter.

Some 53 percent of the local retailers logged increased or stable sales volume in the season, the figures showed.

Around 71 percent of the retailers, which were surveyed by the SCS, expect the sales volume to continue the rising trend.

The blossoming tourism industry will hopefully keep fueling the retail businessmen's confidence, local analysts said.

Source: Xinhua