Retail sales rise 4.8% in March

Total retail sales reached $4.7b, whilst online sales made up 15.7% of the total.

Retail sales rose 4.8% YoY in March 2026, easing from the 8.3% growth recorded in February, according to the Department of Statistics.

Excluding motor vehicles, parts and accessories, retail sales increased 3.3%, extending the 11.3% growth seen in February.

On a seasonally adjusted month-on-month basis, total retail sales grew 3.7% in March. Excluding motor vehicles, parts and accessories, sales rose 3.3% from February.

The estimated total retail sales value in March was $4.7b, with online sales accounting for 15.7%. Excluding motor vehicles, parts and accessories, retail sales stood at about $3.8b, of which 18.9% came from online sales.

Most retail industries posted year-on-year growth. Recreational goods recorded the strongest increase at 13.1%, followed by motor vehicles, parts and accessories at 12.9%, and computer and telecommunications equipment at 11.9%, partly due to higher mobile phone sales.

Food and alcohol sales fell 6.0%, whilst department stores declined 5.7%. Furniture and household equipment also slipped 1.9%.

Online sales were highest in computer and telecommunications equipment, accounting for 59.9% of total sales. Online transactions also accounted for 39.3% of furniture and household equipment sales and 12.7% of supermarkets and hypermarkets sales.