Indonesia's annual retail sales grew 15 percent in May compared to the same period last year, a recent Bank Indonesia survey showed.
The figure however was lower than the previously forecasted 15.9 percent, on slower paces of purchases of food, beverages and tobacco.
The survey of 650 retailers in 10 major cities showed expectations that sales will slow in the next three months, after consumption returns to normal following the Muslim fasting month.
The survey also showed a preliminary forecast for annual growth in retail sales in June of 11.8 percent to reflect weakening demand for cultural and recreational goods.
In March, the growth of Indonesia's retail sales jumped for the second consecutive month, supported by strong demand in the domestic consumer-reliant economy.
The annual growth of the central bank's real sales index stood at 25.1 percent in March versus 18.8 percent in February, and it is expected that the growth will continue in April to 27.8 percent, according to the survey.
“Consumption growth remains on an upward trend,” BI said in the survey, published earlier this week.
Economists have predicted that Indonesia's April legislative election would boost consumption in the country.
“The rise in [the real sales index] was mainly supported by strong demand in the ‘other goods' category, as well as ‘information and communication tools' category.”
Sales of “other goods” and information and communication tools expanded 52.7 percent and 41.4 percent, respectively, while food, beverage and tobacco sales grew 29.6 percent.