October retail sales up 2.2%

Motor vehicles sales, yet again, prevented it from nosediving.

The strong growth in motor vehicle sales at 14.5% saved overall retail sales from slumping 0.3% in October.

According to the latest figures from the Department of Statisctics, retail sales registered a 2.2% growth in October, with ttoal sales value at $3.7m.

Aside from motor vehicles sales, the growth was spurred by recreational goods, petrol service stations, watches & jewellry, food & beverage, department stores, supermarkets, and medical goods & toiletries. They rose between 0.3% to 5.6% over the said period.

In contrast, retail sales of computer and telecommunications equipment, wearing apparel & footwear, furniture & household equipment, and optical goods & books decreased between 1.8% to 8.1% in October compared to last year.

Meanwhile, convenience stores and mini-marts sales remained unchanged.