In the first quarter (Q1) 2024, retail sales recorded a positive growth of 3.0 per cent year-on-year, after increasing by 0.8 per cent in Q4 2023. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, retail sales also recorded an increase by 0.8 per cent following an increase of 6.8 per cent in Q4 2023.

The total value of retail sales in Q1 2024 was estimated at BND447.6 million. Almost one-third (26.9 per cent) was contributed by Department Stores with sales worth BND120.5 million, followed by Supermarkets (BND77.1 million or 17.2 per cent).

In terms of volume, retail sales recorded a positive growth of 5.9 per cent year-on-year in Q1 2024, after increasing by 0.3 per cent in Q4 2023. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, retail sales also recorded a positive growth of 3.1 per cent after increasing by 7.3 per cent in Q4 2023.