Malaysia posts highest wholesale, retail trade sales since 2013 in May

It increased by 19.9% YoY to around $29.4b.

Wholesale and retail trade in Malaysia rose 19.9% year-on-year in May to reach around $29.2b (RM129.8b), the highest sales recorded since May 2013, according to the country’s Department of Statistics.

In a statement, sales value in all sectors rose, with retail trade increasing by 29.9%, followed by motor vehicle sales at 20.1%, and wholesale trade at 11.7%. Online purchases also increased by 25.9%.

The volume index rose 14.7% YoY to 141.8 points, according to the department.

Chief Statistician Dato’ Sri Dr. Mohd Uzir Mahidin said in a separate statement that the rise in sales can be traced to the lifting of movement restrictions imposed during the pandemic, allowing the celebration of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Compared to the previous month, the statistician said the wholesale and retail trade rose 1.4%, with the retail trade sub-sector increasing 5.1%.

By sub-sector, retail trade increased 19.9% YoY, with growth led by the sale of automotive fuel in specialised stores (54.6%), retail sales in non-specialised stores (36.3%), and other goods in specialised stores (30.8%). The volume index, rose 24.2% compared to the previous year to 164.1 points.

Wholesale trade rose 11.7% to around $13.5b (RM59.6b), with the increase led by household goods which rose 22.1%, followed by agricultural Raw Materials & Live Animals by 17.7%,  and Fee or Contract Basis by 12.0%. The volume index also rose by 3.1% YoY to 130.4 points.

Meanwhile, the sales of the motor vehicles sub-sector rose 20.1% YoY which could be attributed to the maintenance & repair of motor vehicles which rose by 37.4%, motor vehicles parts and accessories (34.3%), and maintenance and repair of motorcycles  (23.2%). Volume index increased by 21.5% YoY to 110.1 points.

$1 = RM4.43