Malaysia Retail Sales Growth at 3-Month Low

Retail sales in Malaysia increased by 6.9% year-on-year in December 2025, accelerating from 6.4% growth in the previous month. This marked the fastest increase since September, amid stronger sales growth across most categories, particularly in non-specialised stores (9.3% vs 8.7% in November), not in stores, stalls or markets (9.1% vs 7.2%), automotive fuel in specialised stores (7.4% vs 6.7%), information and communication equipment in specialised stores (5.9% vs 4.9%), other goods in specialised stores (5.6% vs 5.1%), food, beverages, and tobacco in specialized stores (6.5% vs 6.3%), and household equipment in specialised stores (3.1% vs 3.0%). On a monthly basis, retail activity rose by 2.0% in December, rebounding from a 0.4% fall in November and marking the strongest growth in three months.

Retail sales in Malaysia rose by 6.4% year-on-year in November 2025, slowing from a 6.8% increase in the previous month. This was the smallest gain since August, amid weaker sales growth across most groups, particularly in non-specialised stores (8.7% vs 9.1% in October), not in stores, stalls or markets (7.2% vs 8.6%), automotive fuel in specialised stores (6.7% vs 7.2%), information and communication equipment in specialised stores (4.9% vs 6.5%), and food, beverages, and tobacco in specialized stores (6.3% vs 6.9%). Meanwhile, sales of other household equipment in specialised stores went up by 3%, slightly faster than the 2.8% rise seen in the prior month. On a monthly basis, retail activity decreased by 0.4% in November, reversing a 0.6% gain in October.

Retail sales in Malaysia increased by 6.8% year-on-year in October 2025, easing from September’s eight-month high of 7%. The deceleration was driven by slower sales in non-specialised stores (9.1% vs 9.9% in September), trade not in stores, stalls, or markets (8.6% vs 9.2%), other goods in specialised stores (5.2% vs 5.8%), and cultural and recreational goods in specialised stores (4.3% vs 4.6%). Meanwhile, sales growth strengthened in food, beverages & tobacco in specialised stores (6.9% vs 6.2%), automotive fuel in specialised stores (7.2% vs 7.0%), information & communication equipment in specialised stores (6.5% vs 4.2%), and other household equipment in specialised stores (2.8% vs 2.5%). On a monthly basis, retail activity climbed by 0.6% in October, easing from a 2.4% growth in September, which was the fastest monthly increase in six months.