Retail sales surge 0.8% in March 2011

Motor sales held back the growth of retail sales as retailers of motor vehicles reported a sales decline of 15.3 percent.

According to the Department of Statistics Singapore, on a month-on-month sa basis, retail sales increased 4.7%, excluding motor vehicles, retail sales decreased 1.3%.

After seasonal adjustment, retailers of motor vehicles recorded significant sales growth of 33.9% in March 2011 compared to the previous month. Retail sales of petrol service stations and furniture & household equipment also increased 3.1% and 2.8% respectively.

In comparison, retailers of wearing apparel & footwear, watches & jewellery, provision & sundry shops, department stores, optical goods & books and medical goods & toiletries registered lower sales of between 1.4% and 5.1%.

Compared to March 2010, retailers of food & beverages, watches & jewellery and petrol service stations recorded double-digit growths of between 12.9% and 17.8% in March 2011. Retail sales of medical goods & toiletries, wearing apparel & footwear, department stores, provision & sundry shops and furniture & household equipment also increased between 5.5% and 8.4%.

Retailers of motor vehicles reported a sales decline of 15.3% in March 2011. Sales of recreational goods and optical goods & books also decreased 1.8% and 1.2% respectively over March 2010.