Singapore's retail sales increased by 4.5% year-on-year in October, marking an acceleration from the previous month, as most sectors reported higher sales, according to data released on Friday (Dec 5).

September's retail sales growth was revised downward to 2.7% year-on-year.

Excluding motor vehicles, retail sales rose 3.7% in October, up from September's revised growth of 1.8%.

On a seasonally adjusted month-on-month basis, retail sales climbed 2.3% in October, rebounding from a 1.7% decline in the prior month.

Excluding motor vehicles, retail sales expanded 2.9% month-on-month, compared with a 2.6% contraction in September.

Retail Sales Growth Highlights

Year-on-year: 4.5%

Year-on-year (ex-motor vehicles): 3.7%

Month-on-month (seasonally adjusted): 2.3%

Month-on-month (seasonally adjusted, ex-motor vehicles): 2.9%

Total retail sales value: S$4.4 billion

Year-on-year sales growth was recorded in 10 out of 14 categories:

• Department stores: 2.8%
• Supermarkets and hypermarkets: 3.6%
• Mini-marts and convenience stores: 3.3%
• Motor vehicles: 9.7%
• Cosmetics, toiletries and medical goods: 6.9%
• Furniture and household equipment: 2.9%
• Recreational goods: 20.4%
• Watches and jewellery: 25%
• Computer and telecommunications equipment: 3.1%
• Optical goods and books: 6.9%

Declines were seen in:

• Food and alcohol: -2.5%
• Petrol service stations: -17.4%
• Wearing apparel and footwear: -3.7%
• Others: -9.2%

Food and Beverage Services Performance

Year-on-year: 2.4%

Month-on-month (seasonally adjusted): 4.3%

• Restaurants: -0.6%
• Fast-food outlets: 4.4%
• Food caterers: 12.8%
• Cafes, food courts and other eating places: 1.3%