Malaysia Retail Sales Growth Slows to 5-Month Low

Retail sales in Malaysia rose by 6.1% year-on-year in January 2026, slowing from a 6.9% increase in the previous month. This was the weakest growth since August 2025 due to softer sales across most groups, particularly non-specialised stores (7.9% vs 9.3% in December), other goods in specialised stores (5.4% vs 5.6%), automotive fuel in specialised stores (7.0% vs 7.4%), information and communication equipment in specialised stores (3.9% vs 5.9%), and food, beverages, and tobacco in specialised stores (5.6% vs 6.5%). Meanwhile, sales growth accelerated slightly for other household equipment in specialised stores (3.3% vs 3.1%) and cultural and recreational goods in specialised stores (4.2% vs 3.9%). On a monthly basis, retail sales fell by 0.3% in January, reversing a 2.0% increase in December.

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.