JAKARTA - Retail sales performance in January 2022 is predicted to continue to increase. This is reflected in the January 2022 Real Sales Index (IPR) of 211.0 or an annual growth of 16.0% (yoy), driven by improved retail sales performance for all commodity groups, especially the Automotive Fuel Group and continued high growth in the Clothing subgroup.
On a monthly basis, retail sales are forecasted to contract by 2.4% (mtm) in January 2022, particularly in the Clothing, Food, Beverages and Tobacco Group and Information and Communication Equipment Group, in line with the seasonal pattern of normalizing demand after the Christmas and New Year HBKN celebrations.
Previously in December 2021, retail sales performance was indicated to increase both monthly and annually. This is reflected in the IPR in December 2021 which was recorded at 216.3 or grew 7.6% (mtm), an increase from 2.8% (mtm) in the previous month. The increase in sales occurred in the majority of groups, especially in the Clothing and Food, Beverage and Tobacco subgroups, driven by increased demand during the Christmas and New Year HBKN celebrations.
In terms of prices, respondents predict that inflationary pressure will decline in March and June 2022. The General Price Expectation Index (IEH) for March and June 2022 was 129.2 and 132.0, respectively, lower than 129.7 and 140.0 in the previous month. Respondents stated that the decline in prices was driven by the availability of adequate supplies of goods and services, as well as smoother distribution of goods. (LM)