SINGAPORE retail sales fell 7.2 per cent from July to August and 3.9 per cent, excluding motor vehicles, according to the latest data issued by the country's Department of Statistics.

    The worst hit sectors for the month were motor vehicles which declined 17.4 per cent while telecommunications and computer products fell 14.6 per cent month to month.

    Food and beverage sales were up 3.3 per cent from July, while department stores and supermarkets managed to record only marginal growth of 0.7 per cent and 0.1 per cent. Furniture and household equipment sales saw zero growth from the previous month, while all other sectors contracted.

    But year on year retail sales for the month rose 3.3 per cent, while non-motor-vehicle sales increased 7.4 per cent.

    Meanwhile Hong Kong retail sales were up 29 per cent for the month of August with consumables leading at 69.3 per cent and electric goods and photo gear rising 53.7 per cent.

(source:http://www.shippingonline.cn/news/newsList.asp?classname=News)