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Singapore retail sales – excluding motor vehicles – surged 15.8 per cent in January, but most of this was caused by the earlier timing of Lunar New Year, which brought forward pre-celebration sales from February into January. 

With motor vehicle sales down 12 per cent for the month, the vehicle-inclusive sales increase was a lower 11.8 per cent. 

Singapore’s Department of Statistics said that on a seasonally-adjusted basis, retail sales fell by 2.1 per cent month on month in January, excluding vehicles.

Online retail sales made up 14.7 of overall sales, a little less than in December when 12.12 promotions drove e-commerce turnover higher. 

The online sector was dominated by computer and telecom products, which accounted for 51.6 per cent of category turnover, furniture and household equipment (28.5 per cent), and supermarkets and hypermarkets (12.9 per cent). 

Overall, the watches and jewellery sector, apparel and department stores recorded the greatest growth in January, with increases ranging between 26 and 29 per cent, largely due to pre-Lunar New Year spending. Sales at service stations sales rose by 25.5 per cent, largely due to higher petrol prices.

Sales of books and stationery were down by 5.5 per cent. 

Food & beverage services turnover rose by 9.5 per cent in January, following an increase of 7.3 per cent in December. 

Online sales accounted for 29.1 per cent of turnover in the sector, compared with 28.6 per cent in December.

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