Singapore's F&B sector held steady in May 2026. Sales were flat year-on-year — but total takings rebounded strongly to $1.65 billion, the highest in months. The headline number says stagnation; the details say the market is reshuffling. Here's what stood out this month.
Total F&B Sales
F&B services sales registered flat growth (0.0%) year-on-year in May 2026, similar to April's 0.1%. On a seasonally adjusted basis, sales dipped 0.6% from the previous month. In absolute terms, however, total sales came in at an estimated $1.65 billion, a solid recovery from April's $1.535 billion. Online sales accounted for 19.8% of total turnover, nearly unchanged from April's 19.9% — the digital share has firmly settled around the 20% mark.
Restaurants and Quick Service Lead the Recovery
The momentum this month belongs to fast food outlets (+2.6% YoY), food caterers (+1.9% YoY) and restaurants (+1.8% YoY). Notably, sit-down dining is regaining ground after months of sluggish numbers — a sign that diners are returning to full-service experiences, not just grab-and-go.
Food Courts Under Serious Pressure
Food courts and other eating places recorded the steepest decline at -5.3% year-on-year — deepening from April's -3.6%. Cafés also slipped slightly at -0.5%. For food court operators, this is no longer a blip; it's a structural challenge that demands a rethink of value, experience, and tenant mix.
The Digital Equilibrium
At 19.8%, online sales have found their level. Roughly one in five F&B dollars is now spent online, and that ratio is holding. The competitive edge has shifted from having a digital presence to executing it well — smoother ordering, better fulfilment, smarter use of customer data.
