Singapore's retail sales slipped 7.4% in March

Motor vehicles segment is to blame.

According to the Department of Statistics, Compared to a year ago, retail sales fell 7.4% in March 2013. However, retail sales went up 1.2% after excluding motor vehicles.

Retail sales (seasonally adjusted) decreased 5.4% in March 2013 compared to February 2013. Excluding motor vehicles, retail sales went down 4.5%.

Sales of food & beverage services (seasonally adjusted) increased 2.1% in March 2013 compared to the previous month.

Compared to March 2012, sales of food & beverage services increased 3.6% in March 2013.

Compared to March 2012, retailers of motor vehicles recorded a decrease in sales of 32.7% in March 2013. Retail sales of telecommunications apparatus & computers, furniture & household equipment and petrol service stations also registered declines of between 3.4% and
10.0%.

In contrast, retail sales of food & beverages, supermarkets, department stores, recreational goods, provision & sundry shops and medical goods & toiletries recorded increases of between 3.9% and 8.8% in March 2013 over March 2012. Similarly, retail sales of wearing apparel & footwear and optical goods & books increased 1.9% and 1.2% respectively during this period.