SINGAPORE - Retail sales rose 5.1 per cent in March, as compared with the same month last year, the latest data from the Department of Statistics show.

The total retail sales value in March this year was estimated at $3.7 billion, higher than the $3.5 billion recorded a year ago.

Excluding motor vehicles, however, retail sales decreased 2.2 per cent. The sales of motor vehicles jumped 41.3 per cent in March from the year before.

In contrast, sales of food and beverages, recreational goods, watches and jewellery, telecommunications apparatus and computers and optical goods and books all fell by at least 10 per cent.

Meanwhile, retail sales of medical goods and toiletries, furniture and household equipment, minimarts and convenience stores, department stores and supermarkets rose between 0.5 per cent and 5.4 per cent in March from the year before.

Retail sales decreased 1.4 per cent in March over the previous month. Excluding motor vehicles, retail sales declined 0.6 per cent.