Retail sales in Singapore experienced a notable increase of 8.3% in February 2026 compared to the same month last year, according to the latest Retail Sales Index. This surge is attributed in part to the timing of Chinese New Year, which fell in February this year, as opposed to January in 2025. Excluding motor vehicles, parts, and accessories, retail sales saw an even more significant rise of 11.2%.
The total retail sales value for February was estimated at $4.2b, with online sales accounting for 14.1% of this figure. Notably, the Computer and Telecommunications Equipment sector saw 56.3% of its sales conducted online, highlighting the growing trend towards digital purchases.
In the Food and Beverage (F&B) sector, sales increased by 5.5% year-on-year, reversing a 3.2% decline in January. The total sales value for F&B services in February was estimated at $1.6 billion, with online sales making up 20.3% of this total. The rise in F&B sales was also influenced by the Chinese New Year period.
Within the retail sector, supermarkets and hypermarkets recorded a remarkable 29.3% year-on-year growth in sales, whilst the Recreational Goods and Department Stores sectors saw increases of 26% and 16.8%, respectively. Conversely, the Petrol Service Stations and Motor Vehicles, Parts, and Accessories sectors experienced declines of 9.8% and 7.8%.
Looking ahead, the performance of these sectors will be closely monitored as businesses adapt to changing consumer behaviours and economic conditions.
