Singapore retail sales (excluding motor vehicles) surged 8.7 per cent in November to reach $3.6 billion (US$2.68 billion) – a strong performance following October’s 14.2 per cent. 

Online sales accounted for 16.5 per cent of the total volume, a higher rate than usual, which Statistics Singapore attributed to the impact of year-end online shopping events such as Singles’ Day (11.11) and Black Friday. 

Online sales of computer and telecommunications equipment, furniture and household equipment and supermarkets and hypermarkets made up 51.4 per cent, 34.2 per cent and 14.5 per cent of their respective totals.

Meanwhile, sales of food and beverage services grew by 24.7 per cent in November on a year-on-year basis, following the 36.9 per cent increase in October. 

All food and beverage service sectors recorded year-on-year increases in sales in November, attributable to the low base last year when restrictions on dining-in were in place. Food caterers sales surged by 138.4 per cent, thanks to boosted demand for in-flight catering and the return of major events. 

Turnover of restaurants, fast-food outlets and cafes, foodcourts and other eating places increased by between 14.9 per cent and 22.9 per cent. 

In mainstream retail, the fastest-growing sectors were food and alcohol, and apparel and footwear, which surged by 57.6 per cent and 34.1 per cent, largely driven by alcoholic products (including those sold in duty-free shops), as well as handbags and footwear. 

Sales in department stores, of cosmetics, toiletries and medical goods, and of recreational goods, increased by between 16.2 per cent and 22 per cent.

Sales through supermarkets and hypermarkets and of computer and telecommunications equipment declined by 5.8 per cent and 3.9 per cent respectively.