Malaysia’s wholesale, retail trade sales reach $310b in 2021

Wholesale and retail trade sales in December grew 3.5% YoY to $28.8b.

Malaysia’s wholesale and retail trade sales for 2021 increased 4% year-on-year (YoY), reaching $310b (RM1.3t), led by the increase in wholesale trade, according to the Department of Statistics.

In a statement, Chief Statistician Dato’ Sri Dr. Mohd Uzir Mahidin said wholesale trade rose 6.4% YoY to $153b (RM641.8b), followed by retail trade sales which grew 4.4% YoY to $127b (RM533.6b).

Motor vehicles sub-sector, however, recorded lower sales declining 8.2% YoY to $29.6b (RM124b), and still remained below the 2019 figure, decreasing 2%. 

For the month of December, wholesale and retail trade sales grew 3.5% YoY to around $28.8b (RM120.5b), with all sub-sectors posting growth led by wholesale trade which expanded 4.1% YoY to $13.8b (RM57.6b). 

Retail trade sub-sector sales jumped 3.5% YoY to $11.6b (RM48.5b), whilst motor vehicles sales climbed 1.5% to $47.8m (RM200m).

The chief statistician said the growth in the retail trade sub-sector in December was supported by the growth posted in sales in non-specialised stores, automotive fuels, food, beverages and tobacco, household goods, sales not in stores, stalls, or market, cultural and recreational goods, information and communication equipment, and sales in stalls and market. Retail sales in specialised stores on the other hand declined.

The increase in wholesale trade during the month can be traced to the growth of foods, beverages and tobacco, agriculture raw materials and live animals, and other specialised wholesale.

Motor vehicles sub-sector growth can be attributed to sales in motor vehicles parts and accessories, maintenance and repair of motor vehicles and sales and motorcycles.

Index of retail sales for December over the internet posted a 20.7% YoY growth, following a 21% increase in November, it said.

Wholesale and retail trade volume index for December, meanwhile rose 0.6% YoY attributed to the 1.4% increase in motor vehicles. Wholesale trade and retail trade volume index also grew 0.5, respectively. Seasonally adjusted volume index, however, declined 0.4% month-on-month.

$1 = RM4.19