December retail sales dropped 1.5% YoY

Check the major culprit.

According to Department of Statistics, retail sales decreased 0.9% in December 2012 compared to  November 2012. Excluding motor vehicles, retail sales declined 0.8%.

Compared to a year ago, retail sales decreased 1.5% in December 2012. Excluding motor  vehicles, retail sales went down 0.4%. 

Here's more:

Compared to December 2011, retail sales of telecommunications apparatus & computers decreased 12.1% in December 2012. Sales of motor vehicles, recreational goods, petrol  service stations, wearing apparel & footwear and optical goods & books also registered  declines of between 1.5% and 6.1%.

In contrast, supermarkets and retailers of food & beverages recorded an increase in sales of  7.3% and 6.3% respectively in December 2012 over December 2011. Similarly, retail sales of  medical goods & toiletries, watches & jewellery, furniture & household equipment and  provision & sundry shops increased between 1.8% and 4.1% over the same period.  

Compared to December 2011, food caterers recorded a 4.5% increase in receipts in December 2012. Similarly, turnover of other eating places and restaurants rose 3.0% and 2.8% respectively over the previous year.

In contrast, turnover of fast food outlets decreased 0.8% in December 2012 over December  2011.