The sustained upbeat consumer sentiment led to a 20% year-on-year rise in March's total retail sales value to $22.6 billion, the Census & Statistics Department says. The total retail sales volume also rose 13%.

Looking forward, the firm labour market conditions, rising income, and further growth in inbound tourism will continue provide support to the retail trade. There is a need to stay alert to the impact of the unfolding global financial turbulence and the US economic slowdown on the economy and consumer sentiment, though.

Rolling out the latest retail sales figures today, the department said total retail sales rose 17.5% in value and 11.6% in volume in this year's first quarter.

Analysed by type of retail outlet, the sales volume of motor vehicles and parts surged the most, by 29%. This was followed by sales of electrical goods and photographic equipment (up 22.1%).

Other categories which also saw a double-digit growth in sales volume were wearing apparel (19%); furniture and fixtures (16.9%); miscellaneous consumer goods (15.7%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (13.2%); commodities in department stores (11.5%); as well as jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts (10.7%).

Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the total retail sales volume went up 0.7% in this year's first quarter compared with the preceding quarter.