KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s wholesale and retail trade increased 10.1 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) in June 2026, with sales hitting RM168.5 billion, supported by positive growth across all three sub-sectors, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).
In tandem with the expansion in sales value, the volume index rose by 5.1 per cent y-o-y.
In a statement today, the department said the wholesale trade recorded sales of RM76.8 billion, an increase of RM8.5 billion, representing a growth of 12.4 per cent y-o-y.
"Retail trade registered sales of RM72.0 billion, up RM4.5 billion, equivalent to a rise of 6.6 per cent, while the Motor vehicles sub-sector expanded by RM2.6 billion, a 14.9 per cent growth, reaching RM19.7 billion.
"Collectively, the increase in sales across the three sub-sectors amounted to RM15.5 billion, broadly accounting for the overall increase in wholesale and retail trade sales during the month,” DOSM said in a statement.
It noted that wholesale trade contributed the largest share of the increase, followed by retail trade and motor vehicles.
The wholesale trade continued to be the main contributor to the overall sales value, with the expansion primarily driven by the other specialised wholesale group, which increased by 25.3 per cent to RM31.0 billion.
"The stronger performance in this group was supported by higher sales of petrol, diesel, lubricants and liquefied petroleum gas, driven partly by market price movements, particularly for petroleum-related products,” it said.
Wholesale of household goods also expanded by 6.5 per cent to RM15.3 billion, supported by sustained demand for pharmaceutical and medical goods, jewellery and clothing.
Meanwhile, it said the wholesale of food, beverages and tobacco increased by 4.5 per cent, driven by higher sales of rice, other grains, flour and sugar, dairy products, as well as fish and other seafood.
Additionally, the wholesale of machinery, equipment and supplies grew by 6.4 per cent to RM5.7 billion, following higher sales of telephone and telecommunications equipment.
DOSM noted that the retail trade sub-sector maintained positive momentum in June 2026, with sales increasing by 6.6 per cent to RM72.0 billion, led by retail sales in non-specialised stores, which rose by 7.0 per cent to RM28.0 billion, supported by sustained sales in supermarkets and department stores.
Similarly, the retail sales of other goods in specialised stores increased by 7.0 per cent to RM15.3 billion, mainly driven by stronger demand for pharmaceutical and medical goods as well as jewellery.
In addition, retail sales of automotive fuel in specialised stores registered a growth of 10.8 per cent, while retail sales of food, beverages and tobacco in specialised stores increased by 6.6 per cent, supported by higher sales of bakery products and sugar confectionery, fish & other seafoods and dairy products and eggs.
"Retail performance was also supported by increased consumer activity during the festive season and the school holiday period extending into the first week of June, which contributed to higher mobility, household purchases and consumption-related activities across the retail segment,” it said.
As for the Motor vehicles sub-sector, it recorded the strongest growth in sales value among the three sub-sectors, up by 14.9 per cent to RM19.7 billion in June 2026 primarily driven by sales of motor vehicles, which increased by 22.3 per cent to RM9.8 billion.
Online retail activity continued to expand in June 2026, with the online retail sales index increasing by 9.0 per cent y-o-y, accelerating from 8.6 per cent in May 2026.
"The continued growth in online retail sales reflected sustained consumer demand through e-commerce platforms, reinforcing the role of digital channels alongside physical retail outlets in supporting the expansion of retail activity,” it said. - Bernama
