Real Singapore retail sales recovered slightly in January, rising 1.4 per cent year-on-year.

The headline figure widely reported by business media of a 7.5 per cent increase included motor vehicles.

Real retail sales fell 0.5 per cent from December to January, and by 1.2 per cent with vehicles included.

The total retail sales value in January 2016 was estimated at $4.1 billion, higher than the $3.8 billion in January 2015.

Medical goods and toiletries and department stores showed the strongest year-on-year gains, while telecommunications goods and computers accounted for by far the largest fall.

The accompanying charts show the sales trends by product category.

Sales of food & beverage services (seasonally adjusted) increased 2.4 per cent month-on-month in January Year-on-year, they declined by 0.6 per cent in January.

The total sales value of food & beverage services in January 2016 was estimated at $685 million.