Retail Sales Moderately Improve in December 2020: BI

Jakarta: Based on the latest Retail Sales Survey conducted by Bank Indonesia (BI), monthly retail sales moderately improved in December 2020 in line with  seasonal factors Christmas and New Year festive period. 
 
The performance of Real Sales Index (RSI) increased to 4.8% (mtm) from -1.2% (mtm) in November 2020. Retailers confirmed the highest sales performance for Other Household Equipment as well as Information and Communication Equipment. 
 
"The improvement was limited, compared to previous year," said BI Communication Department Head Erwin Haryono said in a press release on Tuesday.

On an annual basis, retail sales in December 2020 experienced a deeper -19.2% (yoy) contraction compared with -16.3% (yoy) one month earlier, primarily held back by Food, Beverages and Tobacco as well as Clothing.
 
In January 2021, respondents expected to maintain retail sales performance, with improvements predicted annually despite a monthly decline.  
 
On a monthly basis, the Real Sales Index (RSI) was predicted to contract -1.8% (mtm) in line with seasonal factors as demand normalises after the Christmas and New Year festive period, coupled with the introduction of new public activity restrictions (PPKM) in Java and Bali as well as inclement weather and natural disasters plaguing other regions.  
 
Therefore, all commodity groups were expected to experience deteriorating monthly sales performance in January 2021, with Automotive Fuels hardest hit.  
 
In contrast, retailers predicted improving annual sales performance in January 2021, as signalled by a shallower -14.2% (yoy) contraction compared with -19.2% (yoy) one month earlier, affecting most commodity groups, including Clothing, Food, Beverages and Tobacco, as well as Other Household Equipment.
 
In terms of prices, retailers predicted relatively stable inflationary pressures in the next three months (March 2021) before intensifying in the next six months (June 2021), as indicated by a relatively stable 3-month Price Expectations Index (PEI) of 149.7 compared with 150.4 in the previous period in line with maintained supply and an increase in the 6-month PEI to 164.8 from 161.7 in response to expectations of lower inventories and possible disruptions in the distribution chain. 

 
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