Singapore retail takings rise 2.2% in May, driven by car sales

Outbound travel, tepid recovery in tourist arrivals dampen other sales: Analysts

- Prisca Ang

Retail sales rose in May to reverse April’s decline, but takings at the till were stagnant once motor vehicle sales were removed from the picture.

Analysts said that outbound travel and a tepid recovery in tourist arrivals have dampened sales, but things are likely to look up in the second half of the year.

Turnover grew 2.2 per cent in May from the same month a year earlier, reversing the 1.2 per cent drop in April that had snapped three months of gains.

If motor vehicle sales are excluded, retail turnover in May was flat, though this was an improvement from the 4.5 per cent drop in April.

Half of the 14 retail categories recorded a year-on-year sales increase in May, showed Department of Statistics data on July 5.

Motor vehicle sales led the way with growth of 19.5 per cent, corresponding with a higher certificate of entitlement quota. Food and alcohol turnover rose 11.1 per cent, while watches and jewellery revenue increased 7.4 per cent.