Sales improvement was projected for nearly all commodity groups surveyed, with sales in the food, beverage, and tobacco category recording the lowest contraction, with growth at -1.9 percent yoy, Executive Director of the Communication Department of Bank Indonesia (BI) Onny Widjanarko stated here on Wednesday.
"This is in line with an increase in the people's purchasing power and implementation of the adaptation of new habits (AKB)," he remarked.
Retail sales performance was forecast to continue to improve in August 2020, supported by almost all categories of goods, Widjanarko noted.
IPR growth for August 2020 was forecast to be -10.1 percent (yoy), improving from the previous month.
Food, beverage, and tobacco sales were projected to start recording a positive growth in August 2020.
Meanwhile, other categories of goods were also forecast to experience improvement, with a downward contraction, except for the other group of household items.
Widjanarko noted that in terms of prices, inflationary pressure in the next three and six months (October 2020 and January 2021) is forecast to increase.
This indication of a hike in prices is mirrored in the general price expectation index (IEH) for the next three and six months of 133.7 and 157.7 respectively, higher than the previous period of 131.5 and 156.1 respectively.
Respondents estimated that the price increase was influenced by disruption in the distribution of goods and services along with the onset of the rainy season, he stated.
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Translator: Achmad Buchori, Fardah
Editor: Sri Haryati
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