Key Highlights
Retail Trade
Retail sales rose 1.7% in September 2026, extending the 0.8% growth in August 2026. Excluding Motor Vehicles, Parts & Accessories, retail sales increased 2.5%, compared to the 1.7% growth in August 2026. On a seasonally adjusted basis, retail sales declined 1.0% in September 2026 over the previous month. Excluding Motor Vehicles, Parts & Accessories, seasonally adjusted retail sales decreased 1.8% compared to August 2026.
Within the Retail Trade sector, retailers of Computer & Telecommunications Equipment and Petrol Service Stations recorded year-on-year growths in sales of 16.5% and 6.5% respectively, which was mainly due to higher demand for mobile phones and higher petrol prices. Similarly, sales of Cosmetics, Toiletries & Medical Goods rose 6.0%.
In contrast, Mini-marts & Convenience Stores and Department Stores recorded decreases in sales of 5.6% and 3.4% respectively in September 2026.
Food & Beverage Services
Sales of Food & Beverage (F&B) services increased 1.0% in September 2026 on a year-on-year basis, reversing the 1.8% decline in August 2026. On a seasonally adjusted basis, sales of F&B services rose 0.8% in September 2026 compared to the previous month.
Within the F&B services sector, Fast Food Outlets as well as Restaurants recorded year-on-year sales growth of 7.6% and 2.6% respectively in September 2026, while Cafes increased marginally by 0.1%.
In contrast, turnover of Food Caterers and Food Courts & Other Eating Places declined 0.2% and 4.2% respectively in September 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.