Singapore retail sales dropped 2.3 per cent in July after excluding motor vehicles from the data, compared with the 3.1 per cent decline in June.

According to the Department of Statistics, the estimated total retail sales value in July was SG$3.4 billion (US$2.6 billion), of which 14 per cent came from online.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, retail sales increased 0.5 per cent month on month.

The department stores and wearing apparel & footwear industries led the decline with sales down 11.2 per cent and 10.3 per cent, respectively. Sales of optical goods & books fell 8.7 per cent, mainly due to lower demand on books.  

Meanwhile, the petrol service stations, food & alcohol, supermarkets & hypermarkets and watches & jewellery industries recorded sales growths of between 0.8 per cent and 4.7 per cent.

With regard to food & beverage services, sales edged up 0.2 per cent in July following a 1.9 per cent increase in June. 

The total sales value of F&B services in July was SG$989 million, of which 23.8 per cent were from online.