Retail and food & beverage (F&B) services in Singapore experienced a 1.4% year-on-year increase in sales for May 2025, according to the latest Retail Sales Index (RSI) and Food & Beverage Services Index (FSI). The growth was primarily driven by a significant rise in motor vehicle sales, which surged by 10.4% compared to the previous year.
The total retail sales value for May 2025 was estimated at $4.2 billion, with online sales contributing 12.3% of this figure. Excluding motor vehicles, retail sales remained flat year-on-year, with a slight month-on-month decline of 0.6% when seasonally adjusted. Notably, the Computer & Telecommunications Equipment sector saw a 9.2% increase in sales, whilst Supermarkets & Hypermarkets grew by 7.2%.
In contrast, sectors such as Petrol Service Stations and Wearing Apparel & Footwear faced declines, with sales dropping by 9.4% and 5.3% respectively. The Watches & Jewellery sector also saw a significant month-on-month decline of 11.5%.
The F&B sector mirrored the retail trend with a 1.4% year-on-year increase in sales, reaching a total value of $1.0 billion. Online sales accounted for 25.2% of the total F&B sales. Food Caterers led the growth with a 17.2% increase, whilst Cafes, Food Courts & Other Eating Places, and Fast Food Outlets also reported positive growth. However, Restaurants experienced a 4.2% decline in turnover.
These indices highlight the mixed performance across different sectors, with motor vehicles and certain retail categories driving overall growth. The data underscores the importance of adapting to changing consumer preferences and market conditions in Singapore’s dynamic retail and F&B landscape.
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