JAKARTA – Retail sales in April and July 2023 are expected to rise following the increased mass consumption during religious festivals and school break.

In the press release of retail sales in February 2023 quoted Thursday (9/3), Fadjar Majardi, Director of Communication Department of Bank Indonesia (BI), claimed that the Sales Expectation Index in April 2023 clocks up to 161.2, increasing from 139.6 in March 2023. The retail sales in July 2023 also grew from 140.2 to 142.9.

Price-wise, inflation in April 2023 is predicted to rise as well, following the Price Expectation Index (PEI) that shifts higher to 145.1 from 139.1 seen in March 2023. It is triggered by price surge during Eid in 2023.

Furthermore, PEI in July 2023 is recorded at 133.5, decreasing from 138.2 in June 2023 due to adequate goods supply. (LK/ZH)