Online drives boost in Singapore retail sales in November

Singapore retail sales in November remained sluggish, rising just 0.6 per cent year on year after motor vehicles were removed from the data. Including vehicles, sales fell by 4 per cent. 

Significantly, online sales rose to a new high, accounting for 8 per cent of the estimated S$3.6 billion (US$2.7 billion). 

“Compared to the 6.1 per cent recorded in October 2019, the increase was due to higher online retail sales from major online shopping events such as Singles’ Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday,” Statistics Singapore said in a statement.

Month on month, Singapore retail sales in November rose by 1 per cent. 

Year on year, sales of motor vehicles and furniture & household equipment decreased 22.4 per cent and 10.9 per cent respectively. Sales through department stores and of recreational goods declined by 8.4 per cent and 4.5 per cent respectively.

Conversely, apparel & footwear sales grew by 4.3 per cent, due partly to higher demand for bags and footwear. Mini-marts & convenience stores, watches & jewellery and computer & telecommunications equipment sales, as well as supermarkets & hypermarkets recorded sales increases ranging from 1.2 per cent to 3 per cent

Food & beverage services sales

Sales of food & beverage services grew by 5.5 per cent year on year in November, reaching $898 million. 

All food & beverage services sectors registered growth, with fast-food outlets leading the way, at 12.4 per cent. Sales at restaurants, cafes, food courts & other eating places and by food caterers increased by between 1 per cent and 6.4 per cent. 

You have 7 articles remaining. Unlock 15 free articles a month, it’s free.