Singapore retail sales saw a solid improvement in July, with growth reported by the majority of categories. Excluding motor vehicles, the country’s retail sales rose 4.1%, extending the modest 0.5% increase in June, according to the Department of Statistics. The estimated total retail sales value was SG$3.6bn (US$2.8bn), of which 15.5% were from online. On a seasonally adjusted basis, July’s retail sales increased 3.8% over the previous month. Watches and jewellery, and supermarkets and hypermarkets, recorded a 9.6% sales growth. Department stores, cosmetics, recreational goods, and optical goods and books also saw uplifts of between 4.1% and 8.6%. Food and alcohol, apparel and footwear, and petrol service stations were the only industries that saw declines, with sales down between 2% and 5.6%.