Singapore retail sales in July up 2.8% from a year ago on higher car sales

SINGAPORE retail sales rose 2.8 per cent to S$3.7 billion in July compared to a year ago due mainly to higher sales of motor vehicles, according to the Department of Statistics on Thursday.

Excluding motor vehicles, retail sales fell 3.1 per cent. On a seasonally adjusted basis, retail sales increased 1.4 per cent in July over June. Excluding motor vehicles, retail sales rose 3.0 per cent.

Compared to a year ago, retail sales of motor vehicles grew by 36.5 per cent in July 2016.

Retail sales of medical goods and toiletries, mini-marts, convenience stores and supermarkets increased between 0.3 per cent and 4.5 per cent.

In contrast, retail sales of computer and telecommunications equipment as well as petrol service stations decreased 18.8 per cent and 13.6 per cent respectively in July 2016 over July 2015.

Likewise, retail sales of watches and jewellery, food and beverages, recreational goods, optical goods and books, furniture and household equipment, wearing apparel and footwear and department stores declined between 0.7 per cent and 9.6 per cent in July 2016.