Clothing and footwear retailers reported a 3.5 per cent increase in turnover in the first six months of the year, according to the Deloitte EMCS Retail Review.

More than half the participants in the survey, 58 per cent, reported improved results over the same period last year.

The review reflects the feedback from 91 retail outlets across Malta and Gozo, with a combined estimated turnover in excess of €34 million.

Results show that all regions surveyed, except Birkirkara, reported an increase in turnover. Yet, Deloitte principal David Bonett explained there were still outlets in the locality with a 20 per cent growth.

All regions except Birkirkara increased turnover

The surprise was Valletta, which registered a growth of over four per cent this year, after drops in 2010 and 2011.

The survey also showed that Naxxar, Attard, Iklin and San Ġwann registered a combined growth of almost 11 per cent, with 80 per cent of retail outlets registering improved sales.

Graphic: Design Studio

Gozo recorded the highest increase in turnover – over four per cent – with 57 per cent of outlets saying sales had increased.

Sliema, a locality that has consistently recorded increased turnover since the survey started to be held five years ago, posted a growth of three per cent.

In St Julian’s, turnover was up 0.8 per cent, though 57 per cent of shop owners said turnover had decreased. Retail outlets in Fgura and Paola saw turnover grow by 0.7 per cent with more than half saying sales had increased in the first half of the year.

EMCS director Stefano Mallia said it was significant that most main shopping localities reported positive trends.

“Regional growth appears to be driven by absolute growth rather than displacement of business from other localities,” he said.

Mr Bonett said the survey results indicated that outlets operating within malls increased turnover at a marginally faster pace than those on the high street. Smaller outlets, on the other hand, registered higher growth rates than their larger competitors.

Although the majority of own brand outlets reported declining trends, the category as a whole registered growth after two successive periods of decline, Mr Bonett said.