Compared with March, retail sales in Singapore fell by more than 13% in April, with furniture, household goods and recreational goods registering the highest declines.

However, reports suggest that Singapore's retail sales index rose by nearly 7% in April this year compared with the same period in 2005.

Footwear and apparel, and jewellery and watch sales increased by over 20%, to reach approximately S$2.5 billion ($1.6 billion).