Thailand Retail Sales Fall at Softer Pace

Retail sales in Thailand fell 14.5% year-on-year in May 2026, easing from a 20% plunge in the previous month. Sales in other retail categories contracted at a slower pace (-31.3% vs -37.1% in April), supported by stronger sales via stalls and markets for other goods (34% vs 11.6%) and sales through mail-order houses and the internet (61.9% vs 49.3%). In contrast, sales growth for non-durable goods eased to 1.75% from 5.5% in the previous month, mainly due to a decline in food sales (-3.7% vs 5.1%) and weaker growth in pharmaceutical and medical goods, cosmetics, and toiletries (2.9% vs 8.5%). Sales growth also moderated for durable goods (4.2% vs 8.6%) and automotive fuel (11.7% vs 12.1%). On a monthly basis, retail activity declined 5.3% in June, significantly improving from a 22% slump in the previous month.

Retail sales in Thailand sank by 20% year-on-year in April 2026, reversing sharply from a 21.3% surge in the previous month. This marked the first annual decline since August last year, driven largely by a steep 37.1% drop in other retail trade after a 36.7% increase in March. Growth in non-durable goods eased to 5.5% from 12.8%, reflecting a decline in beverages (-2.0% vs 8.8%) and slower increases in pharmaceuticals (8.5% vs 14.0%) and tobacco products (0.3% vs 20.1%). Durable goods growth also slowed to 8.6% from 10.0%, as weaker sales of other cultural and recreation goods (-16.5% vs -11.0%) and music and video recordings (-11.0% vs -14.7%) outweighed stronger demand for textiles (39.2% vs 39.0%) and sporting equipment (35.1% vs 38.2%). Department stores and general stores rose 0.4% after rising 6.1%, while sales of motor vehicles and automotive fuel edged up to 6.2% from 5.7%. On a monthly basis, retail sales declined 22.0%, following a 4.8% increase in March.

Retail sales in Thailand rose 21.2% year-on-year in March 2026, easing from 31.4% in February, marking the softest growth in four months. The slowdown was mainly due to softer rises in other retail trade (36.7% vs 67% in February). Meanwhile, non-durable goods growth picked up to 12.5% (vs 4.7%), primarily supported by pharmaceutical and medical goods, cosmetics and toiletries (13.8% vs -1.0%). Durable goods rose 8.7% (vs 3.1%), but momentum was uneven as larger gains in computers and telecom equipment (18.9% vs 3.1%), audio and video equipment (14.3% vs 5.9%), textiles (38.3% vs 30.3%), and sporting goods (37.3% vs 27.4%) were partly offset by moderating growth in games and toys (29.5% vs 48.8%). Department stores and general stores rose 6.1% (vs 4.6%), while motor vehicles and automotive fuel rebounded 5.5% (vs -3.3%). On a monthly basis, retail sales grew 4.8%, recovering from a 25.3% drop in February.