Singapore retail sales edge down 0.4% in January

The decline was partly due to CNY falling in February.

Retail sales in Singapore fell 0.4% year-on-year in January 2026, reversing the 2.5% growth recorded in December 2025, according to the latest data from the Singapore Department of Statistics.

Excluding motor vehicles, parts & accessories, sales fell 2.8%. The decline was partly due to Chinese New Year falling in February this year.

On a seasonally adjusted month-on-month basis, retail sales rose 6.1%, or 7.1% excluding motor vehicles. Total retail sales reached $4.6b, with online sales contributing 14.4%.

Excluding motor vehicles, total sales were $3.9b, with online sales making up 16.8%. Online retail accounted for 56.5% of computer & telecommunications equipment sales, 37.2% of furniture & household equipment, and 11.9% of supermarkets & hypermarkets.

Industry performance was mixed. Year-on-year, wearing apparel & footwear fell 12.9%, department stores dropped 12.3%, and supermarkets & hypermarkets declined 9.7%. Recreational goods and motor vehicles, parts & accessories grew 19.6% and 15.6%, respectively.

Month-on-month, most sectors grew. Watches & jewellery rose 20.7%, food & alcohol 12.8%, and cosmetics, toiletries & medical goods 8.1%. Computer & telecommunications equipment fell 2.4%, and optical goods & books declined 0.5%.