Singapore retail sales in April fell

Singapore retail sales in April decreased by 2 percent year on year (motor vehicles excluded), with the apparel sector the only category to post growth.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, sales decreased by 0.1 percent on March’s figures.

The worst-affected categories were computers and telecommunications equipment, down 6.7 percent, and furniture and household equipment, down 6.5 percent. Statistics Singapore said this was due in part to lower sales of mobile phones and furniture. Sales by food retailers, of optical goods and books and in department stores decreased by between 3.1 percent and 3.5 percent year on year.

However, sales of the apparel and footwear grew by 3.4 percent, due in part to a higher demand for bags and footwear.

Singapore retail sales in April were estimated at S$3.5 billion, with online sales accounting for  about 5.4 percent of that figure

Sales of food and beverage services grew by 3.1 percent year on year in April, reaching $826 million. Fast-food outlets, food caterers and other eating places (such as cafes) registered growth of between 3.6 percent and 8.2 percent. Sales of restaurants increased by a marginal 0.1 percent.