Retail sales in Singapore rose 4.1 per cent in March after the exclusion of motor vehicles from the figures – following February’s 2.4 per cent improvement.
Online sales accounted for 15.2 per cent of the estimated $3.5bn turnover, slightly higher than in February. As usual, the categories with the highest rate of online sales were electronics, furniture and homewares and supermarkets, at 48.3 per cent, 33.3 per cent and 13.6 per cent respectively.
Increased liquor sales from duty-free stores underpinned a 55.1 per cent increase in the food and liquor category in March, while apparel stores recorded a 26.5 per cent boost, led by increased demand for bags and footwear. Department store sales increased by 16.8 per cent.
