Singapore's retail sales index jumped 7.9 per cent in November over the previous year, driven by a sharp increase in motor vehicle and clothing sales, the Department of Statistics reported on Monday.

Total sales for the month hit an estimated S$2.46 billion (US$1.59 billion), a 0.4 per cent rise from October's S$2.45 billion.

While falling fuel prices led to a 3.3 per cent drop in petrol service station receipts, and sales of recreational good declined 2.7 per cent against the previous year, footwear and clothing revenue surged a massive 19.1 per cent, the department said.

Similarly, a 1.6 per cent fall in furniture and household equipment revenue was offset by a 14.8 per cent rise in motor vehicle sales and a 10.6 per cent increase in sales from provisions and sundry shops.

Excluding motor vehicle sales, which account for more than a third of the index, the country's retail sales expanded 4.4 per cent over November 2005.

For the same month meanwhile, Singapore's catering trade revenue hit $S329.9 million, an 8.6 per cent increase over the previous year.