Macau, China, 20 Aug – Retail sales in Macau totaled 6.38 billion patacas (US$798 million) in the first half of 2007, which represents a year on year rise of 27 percent.

Figures from the Statistics and Census Bureau (SCB) showed that estimated revenue in the second quarter of 2007 totaled 3.28 billion patacas, which was a rise of 29 percent, in relation to the same period of 2006.

Between April and June of 2007 the main business was carried out by jewelers and car showrooms, amongst others.

The SCB said in a statement that, in the third quarter of 2007, 56 percent and 80 percent of managers of retail businesses expected to see a rise or a stabilization of sales and prices, respectively, as compared with the period between April and June of 2007.(macauhub)