SINGAPORE, Sept. 7 -- Singapore's retail sales growth eased in July as weaker food and department store takings offset strong demand for recreational goods and jewellery.

The Straits Times reported data from the Singapore Department of Statistics (SingStat) showed that overall retail sales rose 1.5 per cent year on year, down from June's 4 per cent expansion.

SingStat said retail sales excluding motor vehicles also increased 1.5 per cent, noting that "recreational goods recorded the strongest year-on-year growth" at 13.9 per cent.

On a seasonally adjusted month-on-month basis, total retail sales climbed 0.9 per cent in July, while sales excluding motor vehicles rose 0.7 per cent.

Total retail takings were estimated at S$4.4 billion, w...