Singapore retail sales in April decreased by 2 per cent year on year (motor vehicles excluded), with the apparel sector the only category to post growth.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, sales decreased by 0.1 per cent on March’s figures.

The worst-affected categories were computers and telecommunications equipment, down 6.7 per cent, and furniture and household equipment, down 6.5 per cent. Statistics Singapore said this was due in part to lower sales of mobile phones and furniture. Sales by food retailers, of optical goods and books and in department stores decreased by between 3.1 per cent and 3.5 per cent year on year.

However, sales of the apparel and footwear grew by 3.4 per cent, due in part to a higher demand for bags and footwear.

Singapore retail sales in April were estimated at S$3.5 billion, with online sales accounting for  about 5.4 per cent of that figure

Sales of food and beverage services grew by 3.1 per cent year on year in April, reaching $826 million. Fast-food outlets, food caterers and other eating places (such as cafes) registered growth of between 3.6 per cent and 8.2 per cent. Sales of restaurants increased by a marginal 0.1 per cent.