Singapore retail sales rose 2.4 per cent in August, after excluding the impact of motor vehicles on the figure.

Including vehicles, retail sales posted a year-on-year decline of 0.4 per cent.

They rose 2 per cent month on month, excluding cars.

By category, August delivered a mixed bag for retailers, year on year. Jewellers drove the watches and gem sector up 6.3 per cent while apparel and footwear sales rose 6 per cent. Recreational goods rose 4.4 per cent and sales in department stores by 3.3 per cent.

But sales of computers and phones dropped 3.8 per cent, partly due to declining computer sales. Food retailers experienced a 3.5 per cent decline and optical goods and book vendors, 2.3 per cent.

Petrol stations had the highest movement, up 10.4 per cent, reflecting high fuel prices.  

The total of Singapore retail sales in August, including motor vehicles, was estimated at S$3.8 billion, of which online sales accounted for 4.6 per cent.

Sales of food & beverage services from restaurants, cafes and fast-food retailers, increased 3.2 per cent in August, reaching $728 million.