SINGAPORE, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Singapore's retail sales rose 3 percent year on year in May, extending the 5.4 percent increase recorded in April, driven by strong growth in recreational goods and jewelry sales, official data showed on Monday.
The Singapore Department of Statistics said in a statement that the retail sales fell 2.3 percent in May from the previous month on a seasonally adjusted basis.
Most retail segments posted annual sales growth during the month. Sales of recreational goods surged 23.6 percent from a year earlier, while watches and jewelry sales rose 11.7 percent.
Sales at petrol service stations increased 9.5 percent, largely due to higher fuel prices.
However, food and alcohol retailers and department stores continued to face weaker demand, with sales declining 3.7 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively, from a year earlier.
The total value of retail sales was estimated at 4.5 billion Singapore dollars (about 3.48 billion U.S. dollars) in May.
Online retail sales accounted for an estimated 15.1 percent of total retail turnover, up from 14.7 percent in April. ■
