Shops in Singapore generally saw higher takings in June, with the exception of a large drop in sales of motor vehicles.

Overall retail sales fell in June by 4 per cent compared with last year and 6.9 per cent compared with May, according to figures released on Thursday by the Department of Statistics.

If motor vehicles were excluded, however, June retail sales would have risen in June by 2.6 per cent from a year ago and by 1 per cent over May.

Sales of motor vehicles plunged 26.9 per cent in June over the previous year and 33.8 per cent over the previous month.

Consumers spent more on food and beverages and medical goods and toiletries in June over the previous year, the statistics department said. They also upped their spending at supermarkets and department stores.

Apart from car showrooms, furniture and household equipment shops as well as sellers of telecommunications apparatus and computers logged slower sales in June compared to a year ago.