15th June 2026 - 2 min read
Wholesale and retail trade in Malaysia rose 15.3% year-on-year to RM174.8 billion in April 2026, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, with all three sub-sectors recording positive growth even as spending normalised from the Hari Raya festive period.
Retail trade reached RM71.0 billion in April, up 6.3% from a year earlier, supported by stronger spending at petrol stations, online retailers and specialised goods stores. Compared with March, retail sales eased 1.5% and the volume index dipped 1.9%, reflecting a post-Hari Raya slowdown. Year-on-year, the retail volume index still grew 3.9% to 192.4 points.
Motor vehicle sales rose 15.5% year-on-year to RM20.4 billion, with motorcycles recording the strongest growth within the segment. Motorcycle sales, servicing and repairs surged 38.7% from a year earlier, while car sales grew 18.1% annually. The segment rose 9.2% month-on-month, with the motor vehicle volume index up 13.6% year-on-year to 147.9 points.
Wholesale trade recorded the strongest expansion among the three sub-sectors, growing 24.1% year-on-year to RM83.5 billion. The increase was mainly driven by other specialised wholesale, which covers petroleum products and construction materials, and which rose 52.0% from a year earlier. Wholesale of agricultural goods and household-related categories also posted steady gains.
Compared to March, wholesale sales climbed 6.6%, with other specialised wholesale up 14.8% and wholesale on a fee or contract basis rising 12.3%.
The trade sector’s volume index rose 6.2% year-on-year to 170.7 points, suggesting demand held up well even as retail spending eased after the Hari Raya period. For consumers, the post-Hari Raya dip in retail spending is a return to normal rather than a sign of trouble.
For households, sustained trade growth at this level is generally a positive signal. It suggests people are still spending and the economy is holding its footing, all of which support the kind of stable job and income environment that most families depend on day to day. April’s figures build on the momentum from the first quarter, when GDP grew 5.4% on the back of resilient domestic demand.
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Iman writes about personal finance with curiosity. She is interested in the stories behind money, the hesitation around big decisions, and the small habits that shape financial futures. Off the clock, she is either dissecting a film or climbing her way up the leaderboard in her favourite games.
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