KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 — Malaysia’s wholesale and retail trade sales reached RM171.3 billion in May 2026, an 11 per cent increase from a year earlier, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

In a statement today, DOSM said the volume index for wholesale and retail trade also increased by 3.1 per cent compared with May 2025.

The growth was driven by the wholesale and retail trade sub-sectors, with wholesale trade recording sales of RM80.8 billion, an increase of RM12.6 billion or 18.4 per cent year-on-year.

Retail trade recorded sales of RM71.9 billion, up RM4.8 billion or 7.2 per cent from the same month last year.

However, the motor vehicles sub-sector saw sales decline by RM400 million or 2.3 per cent year-on-year to RM18.6 billion.

DOSM said the wholesale trade sub-sector’s growth was mainly driven by the other specialised wholesale group, which recorded sales of RM35 billion, a 42.6 per cent increase.

The stronger performance was supported by higher sales of petrol, diesel and lubricants as well as liquefied petroleum gas, driven by higher market prices.

The wholesale of food, beverages and tobacco group grew 5 per cent, supported by higher sales of rice, other grains, flour and sugar, dairy products, fish and other seafood.

The wholesale of household goods expanded 3.5 per cent to RM15.2 billion, driven by growth in pharmaceutical and medical goods, jewellery and clothing, while the wholesale of agricultural raw materials and live animals rose 7.3 per cent to RM6.7 billion, mainly due to stronger demand for palm oil.

DOSM said retail trade continued to record steady growth in May, led by retail sales in non-specialised stores, which increased 8.2 per cent to RM28 billion, supported by sustained sales in supermarkets and department stores.

Retail sales of other goods in specialised stores also grew 6.7 per cent to RM15 billion, driven by stronger demand for pharmaceutical and medical goods as well as jewellery.

Retail sales of automotive fuel in specialised stores rose 12.8 per cent, while retail sales of food, beverages and tobacco in specialised stores increased 7.2 per cent.

The department said retail activity was also supported by increased travel and consumer spending during the Labour Day public holiday, Eid al-Adha festive period, Wesak Day holiday and school holidays in the final week of May.

Meanwhile, the motor vehicles sub-sector recorded weaker sales, mainly due to a decline in the sale of motor vehicles group, which contracted 11.4 per cent to RM8.8 billion.

DOSM said this was consistent with data from the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA), which recorded total vehicle sales of 61,250 units, while the Road Transport Department Malaysia (JPJ) recorded 66,089 vehicle registrations during the same period.

However, other groups within the sub-sector recorded growth, with sales of motor vehicle parts and accessories increasing 7.8 per cent, maintenance and repair of motor vehicles rising 6.8 per cent, and sales, maintenance and repair of motorcycles and related parts and accessories growing 9.1 per cent.

Online retail sales continued to expand in May, with the sales index rising 8.6 per cent year-on-year, compared with 7.1 per cent in April.

DOSM said the sustained growth reflected the resilience of the e-commerce segment, supported by steady consumer spending through online platforms.

In terms of volume, the wholesale and retail trade index increased 3.1 per cent year-on-year, driven by the retail and wholesale trade sub-sectors, which expanded 4.4 per cent and 3.2 per cent respectively.

On a monthly basis, however, the volume index declined 1.3 per cent.

 Malay Mail – Money