Daily Archives: 15 Oct 2009

Retail sales down 5.2% on year in Aug, led by motor vehicles and petrol prices

Singapore’s retail sales fell by 5.2 per cent in August compared to the same period last year.

Compared to August 2008, turnover of motor vehicles dropped by 11.6 per cent and sales at petrol service stations dropped by almost 14 per cent, due partially to lower petrol prices.

After adjusting for price changes, the volume of petrol sales declined by seven per cent over a year ago.

However, on a month-on-month basis, retail sales rose by 5.2 per cent in August compared to July, mainly due to a 13 per cent jump in the sale of motor vehicles.

Sales of telecommunications apparatus, computers, watches and jewellery declined between 10 and 14.7 per cent in August compared to the year before.

Sales of optical goods, books and food and beverages also fell, by about six per cent on year. Continue reading

Sales of uncompleted private homes fall 36.6% in Sept

Sales of uncompleted private homes took another dip in September, the second month of decline, after hitting a record high in July where 2,772 units were sold.

A total of 1,143 units were sold last month, a 36.6 percent fall from August.

Market watchers said this level of activity is more sustainable going forward.

5,719 units were sold in the third quarter alone, more than the whole of last year.

But activity has tapered since, and observers said it is unlikely to test the record sales of 2,772 units in July going forward.

Analysts said that is partly due to the government’s anti-speculative measures that have kept speculators away.

At the same time, some developers have also delayed new launches during the Lunar Seventh Month period, which is a traditionally low season for the property market. Continue reading