The IPR recorded a growth of minus 4.5 percent (mtm) the previous month.
Based on information received from BI in Jakarta on Monday, an increase likely occurred in most groups, especially clothing, spare parts and accessories, cultural and recreational goods, as well as food, beverages, and tobacco.
This would be in line with the increasing public demand for easing public activity restrictions (PPKM) due to the sloping of COVID-19 cases and the start of preparations for Ramadan.
On an annual basis, retail sales in March 2022 are expected to be up 8.6 percent (yoy), but lower than 12.9 percent (yoy) in February 2022.
The groups that recorded high growth included motor vehicle fuels as well as food, beverages, and tobacco.
In the previous period, namely February 2022, the results of the BI Retail Sales Survey (SPE) indicated that retail sales performance remained strong.
The performance that remains strong is reflected in the IPR in February 2022, which was recorded at 200, or up 12.9 percent (yoy), although not as high as the previous month's growth of 15.2 percent (yoy).
Groups that recorded strong growth included food, beverages, and tobacco as well as motor vehicle fuel.
On a monthly basis, the retail sales performance fell 4.5 percent (mtm) from minus 3.1 (mtm) in the previous month, particularly in the spare parts and accessories, cultural and recreational goods, and motor vehicle fuel categories.
Meanwhile, in terms of prices, respondents predicted that inflationary pressures in May 2022 (3 months) and August 2022 (6 months) will increase.
The General Price Expectation Index (IEH) in May is predicted to reach 141.3, or higher than 139.1, in line with the historical pattern of price increases during Eid al-Fitr.
Then, the August 2022 General Price Expectation Index is expected to increase to 132.4 from 129.8.
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Translator: Astrid F, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Sri Haryati
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