Retail sales in Indonesia rose by 10.1% year-on-year in March 2019, accelerating from a 9.1% growth in the previous month. This was the steepest increase in retail trade since December 2016 ahead of the fasting month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr celebration. Sales growth accelerated for: clothing (41.2% vs 33.7% in February); motor vehicles and parts (20.7% vs 14.0%); food, beverages and tobacco (10.9% vs 10.8%); and household equipment (8.2% vs 6.2%). In addition, sales of communications equipment and information fell much softer (-6.3% vs -8.7%). Meanwhile, sales rose at a slower rate for both fuel (3.9% vs 11.5%); and cultural goods (14.5% vs 26.5%).