Singapore retail and F&B sales rise in September

The Republic's retail sales picked up to 1.7 per cent in September, recording a total value of $4.3 billion, according to the latest data posted by Singapore Department of Statistics (SingStat) on Thursday (Nov 5).

This improves from the 0.8 per cent recorded in August —  the lowest since February.

Excluding motor vehicles, parts and accessories, retail sales grew by 2.5 per cent, or $3.6 billion, an increase from the 1.7 per cent in August.

On a month-on-month and seasonally adjusted basis, retail sales declined 1 per cent in September, extending the 0.9 per cent decline in the preceding month.

The total value of sales in September was $4.3 billion, but excluding motor vehicles, parts and accessories sales it was $3.6 billion.

According to SingStat, 17.7 per cent of total retail sales were transacted online, up from the 15.6 per cent recorded in August.

This proportion grew to 20.8 per cent, when motor vehicles, parts and accessories are excluded.

Across the 14 categories tracked, sales growth was recorded in six sectors, year-on-year, with the highest growth recorded in computer and telecommunications equipment:

• Computer and telecommunications equipment at 16.5 per cent
• Petrol service stations at 6.5 per cent
• Cosmetics, toiletries and medical goods at 6 per cent
• Furniture and household equipment at 5.3 per cent
• Supermarket and hypermarkets at 2.2 per cent
• Others at 3.3 per cent

Meanwhile, minimarts and convenience stores recorded the highest decline:

• Minimarts and convenience stores down 5.6 per cent
• Department stores down 3.4 per cent
• Optical goods and books down 2.5 per cent
• Motor vehicles, parts and accessories down 2.4 per cent
• Wearing apparel and footwear down 1.5 per cent
• Watches and jewellery down 1.5 per cent
• Food and alcohol down 0.2 per cent
• Recreational goods down 0.1 per cent

Food and beverage services index

The SingStat data also showed that food and beverage services rose 1 per cent, on a year-on-year basis, reversing the 1.8 per cent decline recorded in August.

The total value of F&B sales was about $1.6 billion, with online transactions making up 21.1 per cent of the total.

Within the sector, fast food outlets, restaurants and cafes registered year-on-year growths of 7.6 per cent, 2.6 per cent and 0.1 per cent respectively.

Meanwhile, food courts and other eating places, and food caterers fell by 4.2 per cent and 0.2 per cent respectively.

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