After a few years of slow growth and even dips in retail sales during the Great Singapore Sale (GSS), stores finally have a reason to smile this year.

Retail sales excluding motor vehicles registered the biggest year-on-year increase during the GSS period since 2012.

Latest figures from the Department of Statistics showed that for June to August, retail sales grew 2 to 4.1 per cent over the same period last year. Sales last year fell 2.3 to 6.2 per cent for the same period compared with the previous year.

The Singapore Retailers Association, which organises the GSS, credits this year's improved showing to a new shopping app, as well as the timing of the GSS, which coincided with holidays in Indonesia and China.

Last year, the GSS was extended and pushed back from its traditional May to July period to coincide with these holidays. This year's GSS was also moved and held from June to August.

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