SINGAPORE, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Singapore's retail sales grew 4.5 percent year-on-year in October, extending the 2.7 percent increase recorded in September, according to official data released Friday.
On a month-on-month basis, retail sales rose 2.3 percent. Total retail takings were estimated at 4.4 billion Singapore dollars (about 3.4 billion U.S. dollars), with online sales contributing 14.5 percent.
Most retail sectors posted year-on-year gains, led by watches and jewelry, which surged 25 percent, primarily driven by stronger jewelry sales.
Meanwhile, sales in food and beverage services increased 2.4 percent compared with a year earlier, rebounding from a 1.6 percent decline in September. The sector's total revenue was estimated at 1 billion Singapore dollars (about 772.2 million U.S. dollars), with online transactions accounting for 25.1 percent. ■
