| Retail and Wholesale |
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The retail and wholesale sectors are important elements of the Gibraltar economy. As well as meeting the needs of the local population, the retail trade also services the influx of tourists visiting Gibraltar via the land frontier, Gibraltar Airport, or by sea on cruise ships. Main Street has numerous shops selling products ranging from jewellery and watches to perfumes and from electronic equipment and cameras to cheese, tobacco and sugar (popular with Spanish day visitors). Many of the recognised store chains are represented in Gibraltar. The wholesale of items such as drinks and tobacco, carried out in the main by long established local companies, is also an important economic activity for Gibraltar. Gibraltar also exports many unique products, such as specialised armoured vehicles for the United Nations and Aid Agencies as well as being a major bunkering facility, providing fuel to thousands of vessels calling at Gibraltar. The recent 2009 Trading Conditions Survey reflected increases in sales reported by retailers and wholesalers, although a number of businesses reported a squeezing of margins due to the euro-sterling exchange rate. |