(Bandar Seri Begawan, 26th) According to the latest data released by the Department of Economic Planning and Statistics (DEPS) under the Ministry of Finance and Economy, retail sales in the fourth quarter of 2025 declined by 4.8% year-on-year, reflecting weak consumer spending.
Sales revenue fell from BND 419.5 million in the same period of 2024 to BND 399.5 million, mainly due to declines in several key sectors. The main factors contributing to the overall decline include department stores (down 6.5%) and sales of computers and telecommunication equipment (a sharp decline of 21.5%). Supermarket sales also dropped by 5.4%.
Despite the overall economic downturn, certain industries still achieved modest growth, such as petrol stations (up 0.5%) and food & beverage specialty stores (up 10.6%).
In terms of volume, retail sales were down 5.5% compared to the same period last year.
For the full year 2025, the retail sector remained sluggish. The total retail turnover dropped 3.9% from BND 1.6797 billion in 2024 to BND 1.6147 billion. This decrease was mainly attributed to the continued weakness in department stores, supermarkets, and electronics-related sectors.
However, some retail categories showed resilience, especially pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, as well as cosmetics/toiletries and watches & jewelry, recording increases of 11.6% and 12.2% respectively.
Annual retail volume also fell by 4.4%, indicating a slowdown in overall consumption.
Meanwhile, the food & beverage services sector saw a slight improvement in the fourth quarter, with sales up 0.5% to BND 115 million, mainly supported by the growth of food courts, kiosks, fast food outlets, and beverage supply businesses.
The Retail Sales Index (RSI) and Food & Beverage Services Index (F&BSI) are key indicators of domestic economic activities and consumer spending trends.
Sales revenue fell from BND 419.5 million in the same period of 2024 to BND 399.5 million, mainly due to declines in several key sectors. The main factors contributing to the overall decline include department stores (down 6.5%) and sales of computers and telecommunication equipment (a sharp decline of 21.5%). Supermarket sales also dropped by 5.4%.
Despite the overall economic downturn, certain industries still achieved modest growth, such as petrol stations (up 0.5%) and food & beverage specialty stores (up 10.6%).
In terms of volume, retail sales were down 5.5% compared to the same period last year.
For the full year 2025, the retail sector remained sluggish. The total retail turnover dropped 3.9% from BND 1.6797 billion in 2024 to BND 1.6147 billion. This decrease was mainly attributed to the continued weakness in department stores, supermarkets, and electronics-related sectors.
However, some retail categories showed resilience, especially pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, as well as cosmetics/toiletries and watches & jewelry, recording increases of 11.6% and 12.2% respectively.
Annual retail volume also fell by 4.4%, indicating a slowdown in overall consumption.
Meanwhile, the food & beverage services sector saw a slight improvement in the fourth quarter, with sales up 0.5% to BND 115 million, mainly supported by the growth of food courts, kiosks, fast food outlets, and beverage supply businesses.
The Retail Sales Index (RSI) and Food & Beverage Services Index (F&BSI) are key indicators of domestic economic activities and consumer spending trends.