Key Highlights
Retail Trade
Retail sales rose 0.7% in August 2026, following the 1.3% growth in July 2026. Excluding Motor Vehicles, Parts & Accessories, retail sales increased 1.6%, compared to the 1.3% growth in July 2026. On a seasonally adjusted basis, retail sales fell 1.0% in August 2026 over the previous month. The decrease was mainly attributed to the decline in Motor Vehicle, Parts & Accessories sales (-9.5%). Excluding Motor Vehicles, Parts & Accessories, seasonally adjusted retail sales increased 0.6% compared to July 2026.
Within the Retail Trade sector, the majority of industries recorded year-on-year growth in sales in August 2026. Cosmetics, Toiletries & Medical Goods and Computer & Telecommunications Equipment industries grew by 11.2% and 10.7% respectively, partly driven by higher sales of cosmetics and toiletries, and mobile phones. Similarly, sales of Recreational Goods increased 4.3%.
In contrast, Motor Vehicles, Parts & Accessories and retailers of Watches & Jewellery recorded year-on-year declines in sales of 4.6% and 2.7% respectively in August 2026
Food & Beverage Services
Sales of Food & Beverage (F&B) services fell 1.6% in August 2026 on a year-on-year basis, extending the 1.9% decline in July 2026. On a seasonally adjusted basis, sales of F&B services increased 1.5% in August 2026 compared to the previous month.
Within the F&B services sector, Cafes as well as Food Courts & Other Eating Places recorded year-on-year sales declines of 5.3% and 4.8% respectively in August 2026, while Restaurants decreased 2.1%.
In contrast, turnover of Fast Food Outlets and Food Caterers rose 7.8% and 2.9% in August 2026.
About the Retail Sales Index and Food & Beverage Services Index
The Retail Sales Index (RSI) and Food & Beverage Services Index (FSI) measure the monthly sales performance of the Retail Trade and Food & Beverage (F&B) services industries based on the sales records of Retail Trade and F&B services establishments respectively. Sales figure refers to the value of retail goods or food & beverages sold to consumers during the month, excluding taxes on products such as Goods and Services Tax (GST), Additional Registration Fee (ARF) and Certificates of Entitlement (COE).
The RSI and FSI are available at current prices and in volume terms. The indices at current prices measure the changes of sales values which can result from changes in both price and quantity, while the indices in volume terms measure the changes in the volume of economic activity by removing the price effect.