Retail sales drop 1.2% YoY in April

Excluding motor vehicles, sales would have fallen 4.5% YoY.

Retail sales dropped by 1.2 YoY and 2.7% MoM in April, translating to a sales value of $3.9b.

Of the total sales value, 11.8% was from online sales.

Excluding motor vehicles, which saw a 25.0% YoY and 6.4% MoM increase, sales would have fallen by 4.5% YoY and 2.1% MoM.

The Department of Statistics Singapore (Singstat) said most industries recorded a YoY decline in sales, resulting in an overall contraction in retail sales. 

Wearing Apparel & Footwear led the industries which posted sales 
decline in April, with a 16.2% YoY and 15.1% MoM contraction.

Other industries which recorded sales declines were  Department Stores (-8.5% YoY), Cosmetics, Toiletries & Medical Goods (-4.6% YoY), Recreational Goods (-7.3% YoY),  Optical Goods & Books (-5.3% YoY), Supermarkets and Hypermarkets (-3.0% YoY), Watches & Jewellery (-1.1% YoY), Mini-marts & Convenience Stores (-7.4% YoY), Furniture and Household Equipment (-2.0% YoY), and  Computer & Telecommunications Equipment (-1.3% YoY)

On the other hand, Petrol Service Stations (3.0% YoY) and Food & Alcohol (4.7% YoY) recorded an increase in sales.