SINGAPORE, Sept 7 — Singapore’s retail sales growth eased in July as weaker food and department store takings offset strong demand for recreational goods and jewellery.

The Straits Times reported data from the Singapore Department of Statistics (SingStat) showed that overall retail sales rose 1.5 per cent year on year, down from June’s 4 per cent expansion.

SingStat said retail sales excluding motor vehicles also increased 1.5 per cent, noting that “recreational goods recorded the strongest year‑on‑year growth” at 13.9 per cent.

On a seasonally adjusted month‑on‑month basis, total retail sales climbed 0.9 per cent in July, while sales excluding motor vehicles rose 0.7 per cent.

Total retail takings were estimated at S$4.4 billion, with online transactions accounting for 15.4 per cent of the total, compared with 16.4 per cent in June.

Sales of watches and jewellery grew 11.1 per cent, driven mainly by higher jewellery demand.

Computer and telecommunications equipment sales rose 5.1 per cent, while cosmetics, toiletries and medical goods increased 4.5 per cent.

Wearing apparel and footwear sales expanded 2.3 per cent, and furniture and household equipment sales edged up 1.3 per cent.

Motor vehicle sales, including parts and accessories, rose 1.4 per cent year on year.

Food and alcohol sales fell 5.1 per cent, and department store takings declined 3.5 per cent.

Sales in the “others” category dropped 4 per cent, while optical goods and books fell 2.2 per cent.

Supermarkets and hypermarkets recorded a 2.1 per cent decline, and mini‑marts and convenience stores saw sales fall 1.5 per cent.

Petrol service station sales slipped 1.1 per cent year on year.

Most retail industries posted month‑on‑month gains, with recreational goods rising 7.5 per cent and department stores up 4.6 per cent.

Supermarkets and hypermarkets recorded a 4.3 per cent increase from June.

Petrol service station sales fell 7.2 per cent month on month, while computer and telecommunications equipment sales dropped 4.7 per cent.

Food and beverage (F&B) services sales fell 1.9 per cent year on year in July, following a 2.3 per cent decline in June.

Total F&B sales were estimated at S$1.6 billion, with online transactions making up 20.9 per cent of the total, slightly higher than June’s 20.4 per cent.

Foodcourts and other eating places posted the steepest year‑on‑year fall at 6.6 per cent, while cafe sales dipped 6.4 per cent.

Restaurant sales edged down 0.3 per cent year on year.

Fast‑food outlets recorded a 4.6 per cent increase, and food caterers saw sales rise 0.3 per cent.

Overall F&B sales rose 0.6 per cent month on month after seasonal adjustment.

Fast‑food outlets posted a 5.8 per cent increase from June, while food caterers and restaurants rose 1.4 per cent and 0.4 per cent respectively.

Foodcourts and other eating places slipped 1.3 per cent month on month, and cafe sales eased 0.1 per cent.