Singapore's retail sales increased 1.1% in March on a year-on-year basis, according to data released by the Department of Statistics on Monday.

Excluding motor vehicles, retail sales rose 0.7% compared to a 6.5% decline in the previous month.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, retail sales declined 2.8% in March, the data showed.

Excluding motor vehicles, seasonally adjusted retail sales fell 1.2% compared to February.

Food and beverage services fell 2.8% year over year, extending a 5.7% drop in the previous month.

Estimated total retail sales came in at SG$4.3 billion in February, the data showed.