SINGAPORE, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Singapore's retail sales grew 2.8 percent year-on-year in September, easing from the 5.3 percent increase recorded in August, according to official data released on Wednesday.
On a month-on-month basis, retail sales declined 1.4 percent. Total retail takings were estimated at 4.1 billion Singapore dollars (about 3.14 billion U.S. dollars), with online sales contributing 14.9 percent.
Most retail segments posted year-on-year gains, led by watches and jewelry, which jumped 16.6 percent, mainly driven by stronger jewelry sales.
In contrast, sales in food and beverage services fell 1.6 percent from a year earlier, extending the 0.2 percent decline in August. The sector's total revenue was estimated at 966 million Singapore dollars (738.9 million U.S. dollars), with online transactions accounting for 26.3 percent. ■