Malaysian retail industry sales falls 4.4% in Q1

Weak sentiment: Retailers continue to depend on heavy discounts to attract consumers and as a result, their profits are eroded, according to the report.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian retail industry recorded a 4.4% fall in sales in the first quarter of this year compared with a 4.6% growth a year ago, according to Retail Group Malaysia.

The fall was attributed to higher pre-goods and services tax (GST) sales a year ago, as well as the weak Chinese New Year sales in February 2016.