Retail sales reaches $4.3b in August driven by online sales

This was an increase of 5.2% compared to the previous year.

The estimated total retail sales value in August 2025 was $4.3b, rising 5.2% on a year-on-year basis.

Of this, an estimated 13.1% were from online retail sales. Excluding motor vehicles, the total retail sales value was about $3.7b, of which 15.3% were from online retail sales.

Online retail sales made up 54.5%, 32.6% and 11.3% of the total sales of the Computer & Telecommunications Equipment, Furniture & Household Equipment and Supermarkets & Hypermarkets industries, respectively.

Within the retail trade sector, the majority of industries recorded year-on-year sales growth in August 2025. The Watches & Jewellery industry increased 11.2%, driven mainly by higher jewellery sales. Similarly, sales of Recreational Goods and Motor Vehicles rose 9.9% and 8.9% respectively.

In contrast, Department Stores and retailers of Food & Alcohol recorded year-on-year declines in sales of 6.5% and 5.1% respectively, in August 2025.

Meanwhile, sales of food & beverage services declined 0.4% in the month, a reversal from the 1.7% gain in July.

The total sales value of F&B services in August 2025 was estimated at $1b. Of this, an estimated 26.3% were from online sales, comparable to the 25.9% recorded in July 2025.

Within the F&B services sector, Restaurants registered a 3.2% sales decline in August 2025. In contrast, turnover of Food Caterers and Fast Food Outlets rose 4.8% and 1.6% respectively. Cafes, Food Courts & Other Eating Places registered flat growth during this period.

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