Singapore retail sales up 0.4% in June over previous year

Potential customers at a used car showroom at Turf City on 6 April 2013.  A jump in car sales in June lifted total retail sales here by 0.4 per cent over the year before, the Department of Statistics said on Friday. -- PHOTO: ST FILE
Potential customers at a used car showroom at Turf City on 6 April 2013.  A jump in car sales in June lifted total retail sales here by 0.4 per cent over the year before, the Department of Statistics said on Friday. -- PHOTO: ST FILE

SINGAPORE - A jump in car sales in June lifted total retail sales here by 0.4 per cent over the year before, the Department of Statistics said on Friday.

Motor vehicle sellers saw a 12.4 per cent rise in their June takings over last year, as new quota rules helped dampen certificate of entitlement (COE) premiums.

Excluding motor vehicles, retailers' sales would have fallen 2.1 per cent in June from the previous year, the department said.

Sales were dragged down by lower demand for a variety of products including recreational goods, watches and jewellery, and telecommunications apparatus and computers.

But Singapore consumers spent more at petrol service stations, food and beverage outlets and retailers of medical goods and toiletries.

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