Singapore retail sales rise at faster pace of 6.2% in March

SINGAPORE: Retail gross sales grew for the second consecutive month in March, up by 6.2 per cent year-on-year in comparison with the revised 5.3 per cent in February.

Excluding motor autos, gross sales went up by 4.4 per cent in March in comparison with 7.8 per cent in February.

On a year-on-year foundation, gross sales throughout many industries improved as a result of decrease base a yr in the past when COVID-19 measures and border restrictions had been launched, mentioned the Singapore Division of Statistics (SingStat) on Wednesday (Might 5).

Nonetheless, a number of industries noticed takings fall from the earlier yr, notably supermarkets and hypermarkets.

DISCRETIONARY INDUSTRIES UP, SUPERMARKETS DOWN

Gross sales in discretionary industries like watches and jewelry, in addition to attire and footwear, had been capable of report bigger year-on-year will increase of 60.2 per cent and 35.6 per cent respectively.

This was on account of low tourism receipts in March 2020 arising from tightened border restrictions, mentioned SingStat.

Gross sales of leisure items and laptop and telecommunications tools additionally grew 28.3 per cent and 19.9 per cent respectively. Gross sales at petrol service stations grew by 18.6 per cent, and gross sales of motor autos by 15.6 per cent.

Furnishings and family tools and optical items and books additionally noticed will increase.

In distinction, supermarkets and hypermarkets noticed a 14 per cent drop in comparison with the upper gross sales a yr in the past, when extra individuals stayed at dwelling after secure distancing measures had been launched, mentioned SingStat.

Shops, minimarts and comfort shops, meals and alcohol, and cosmetics, toiletries and medical items additionally noticed declines.

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MOST INDUSTRIES GROW MONTH-ON-MONTH

On a month-on-month foundation, virtually all industries recorded gross sales progress.

Discretionary industries reminiscent of motor autos, watches and jewelry, attire and footwear and shops recorded will increase of between 5.2 per cent and seven.8 per cent.

This was attributed to larger home spending given COVID-19 journey restrictions, mentioned SingStat.

Conversely, gross sales of furnishings and family tools contracted by 6.2 per cent. Demand slowed with extra individuals returning to the office, mentioned SingStat.

Supermarkets and hypermarkets noticed no change in gross sales from the earlier month.

The estimated whole retail gross sales worth in March was about S$3.5 billion, of which 11.8 per cent was made up of on-line retail gross sales.

Excluding motor autos, the full retail gross sales worth was about S$2.9 billion, with 14.4 per cent from on-line retail gross sales

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FOOD AND BEVERAGE SERVICES GROW

In meals and beverage providers, gross sales grew 8 per cent, reversing a 3.4 per cent decline in February. This was primarily attributed to the decrease gross sales in March 2020 when secure distancing measures kicked in, mentioned SingStat.

Gross sales within the eating places trade grew 17.9 per cent, whereas quick meals retailers and cafes, meals courts and different consuming locations grew 5.5 per cent and 5.6 per cent respectively.

Nonetheless, meals caterers continued to see a year-on-year decline of 25 per cent.

General gross sales of meals and beverage providers additionally elevated 4 per cent over the earlier month, with all industries registering growths.

Complete gross sales worth was estimated at S$730 million in March, with on-line gross sales making up about 23.5 per cent.