Retail sales slip 0.1% in October

Total retail sales hit $3.6b, almost similar to last year's.

Total retail sales in Singapore dipped 0.1% YoY to $3.6b in October, the Department of Statistics (SingStat) revealed.

According to its retail sales index, excluding motor sales, it rose 0.8%.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, retail sales rose 1.5% MoM. Excluding retail sales fell 1%.

Compared to last year, retail sales of computer & telecommunications equipment fell 23.4%. Moreover, retail sales of food retailers, motor vehicles, optical goods & books, furniture & household equipment, and mini-marts & convenience stores fell between 0.4% and 3.9%.

Meanwhile, retail sales of medical goods & toiletries, petrol service stations, supermarkets, watches & jewellery, recreational goods, wearing apparel & footwear, and department stores rose between 2.1% and 7.7% YoY.

Sales of food & beverage services increased 0.7% YoY to $722m, higher than the $717m last year.