Singapore retail sales up 0.9% in May
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A surge in takings at petrol pump stations lifted Singapore‘s retail sales in May, though a broad fall in sales by food retailers and other consumer goods sellers has left shops and restaurants here worried.
Total retail turnover in May was S$3.7 billion, up 0.9 per cent from May last year, according to Department of Statistics data out on Wednesday (July 12).
This was due mainly to a 11.3 per cent jump in sales at petrol service stations, a 4.5 per cent rise in sales of medical goods and toiletries, as a well as a 2 per cent rise in motor vehicle sales.
Excluding motor vehicles, retail sales rose 0.6 per cent from May last year.
On a month-on-month, seasonally adjusted basis, retail sales dropped 1 per cent in May over the previous month. Excluding motor vehicles, takings were down by a bigger margin of 3 per cent.
Questions & Answers
Q.What was the total retail turnover in Singapore for May?
What was the total retail turnover in Singapore for May?
Total retail turnover for May was S$3.7 billion. This represented a 0.9 per cent increase compared to May last year, according to Department of Statistics data.
Q.Which retail sectors saw the largest increases in sales during May?
Which retail sectors saw the largest increases in sales during May?
Sales at petrol service stations jumped by 11.3 per cent. Medical goods and toiletries sales rose 4.5 per cent, and motor vehicle sales increased by 2 per cent.
Q.How did retail sales perform in May compared to the previous month?
How did retail sales perform in May compared to the previous month?
On a month-on-month, seasonally adjusted basis, retail sales dropped 1 per cent in May. Excluding motor vehicles, takings were down by a larger margin of 3 per cent.
Q.Which specific retail categories experienced a broad fall in sales?
Which specific retail categories experienced a broad fall in sales?
There was a broad fall in sales by food retailers and other consumer goods sellers. This decline has reportedly left shops and restaurants concerned.
Reader pulse
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