Taiwan Retail Sales Hit Over 2-Year High

Taiwan retail sales increased 8.5% year-on-year in September 2026, accelerating from 6.5% in the previous month. It marked the highest reading since February 2024, buoyed by Mid-Autumn Festival spending, department store refurbishments, and the launch of new shopping malls. Automobile and motorcycle sales surged 20.3% year-on-year, reflecting a gradual recovery in vehicle demand and higher deliveries of imported cars. The catering industry also benefited from the Mid-Autumn Festival and Teachers’ Day holidays, as favorable weather conditions boosted domestic tourism, dining out, and social gatherings. Meanwhile, restaurant operators continued to expand their outlet networks and pursue multi-brand strategies, while department stores’ anniversary sales attracted more shoppers, helping drive restaurant traffic and sustain growth in catering revenue.

Taiwan’s retail sales increased 6.5% year-on-year in August 2026, easing from an upwardly revised 7.8% rise in July. Growth slowed in fuel and related products (6.5% vs 12.9% in July), motor vehicles, motorcycles and related parts and accessories (5.8% vs 12.6%), pharmaceutical and medical goods and cosmetics (4.5% vs 7.5%), general merchandise stores (6.4% vs 7.1%), information and communications equipment (10.9% vs 13.3%), cultural and recreation goods (1.6% vs 4.4%) and textiles and clothing (1.6% vs 3.8%). Meanwhile, sales strengthened in food, beverages and tobacco (13.1% vs 6.5%), construction materials (12.7% vs 8.0%), electronic shopping and mail-order houses (8.5% vs 5.5%), household appliances and goods (5.5% vs 6.0%) and retail trade not in stores or stalls (5.3% vs 1.8%). On a monthly basis, retail sales fell 0.5%, following a 0.6% decline in July.

Taiwan’s retail sales increased 7.7% year-on-year in July 2026, easing slightly from an 8% rise in June. Growth slowed for retail trade not in stores or stalls (2.5% vs 5.6%) and electronic shopping and mail-order houses (5.9% vs 7.3%). Sales of motor vehicles, motorcycles and related parts and accessories in specialized stores also eased to 12.6% from 19.1%. Meanwhile, sales strengthened across several specialized-store categories, including fuel and related products (12.2% vs 12%), food, beverages and tobacco (4.9% vs 4.4%), household appliances and goods (6.9% vs 4.7%), pharmaceutical and medical goods and cosmetics (7.6% vs 2.6%), cultural and recreation goods (5% vs 4.2%) and construction materials (6.8% vs 5%). General merchandise store sales also accelerated to 6.9% from 5.2%. On a monthly basis, retail sales fell 0.7%, reversing a 1.1% increase in June.