Malaysia’s wholesale and retail trade sector demonstrated solid performance in April 2025, recording total sales of RM151.7 billion, a healthy year-on-year (YoY) growth of 4.7 per cent. This positive momentum was underpinned by strong contributions across key sub-sectors and a significant surge in digital payment transactions.
According to Dato’ Sri Dr. Mohd Uzir Mahidin, Chief Statistician Malaysia, the growth was primarily driven by the robust performance of both the wholesale and retail trade sub-sectors. The Wholesale trade sub-sector posted sales of RM67.3 billion, marking a 5.5 per cent (RM3.5 billion) YoY increase, reflecting steady business activity throughout supply chains. The Retail trade sub-sector also saw a significant boost, registering RM66.8 billion in sales, up 4.7 per cent (RM3.0 billion) YoY, largely in line with increased consumer spending during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri month. The Motor vehicles sub-sector contributed RM17.6 billion in sales, a YoY increase of RM0.4 billion.
Digital Payment Landscape Expands Rapidly
Complementing the growth in trade, Malaysia’s digital payment transactions recorded strong YoY increases in April 2025, signaling a continued shift in transaction preferences:
- E-money transactions surged by 68.7 per cent to RM19.7 billion, indicating higher usage in micro and retail payments.
- Real-time Retail Payments Platform (RPP) transactions reached RM277.8 billion, maintaining its position as the payment method with the highest transaction value.
- FPX transactions grew by 25.4 per cent to RM35.5 billion, supported by increased online banking activities.
- Credit card transactions remained stable at RM17.7 billion, while debit card transactions expanded by 4.5 per cent to RM13.3 billion.
These figures highlight the continued expansion of digital payment usage and broader digital integration within Malaysia’s payment ecosystem.
Sectoral Deep Dive Reveals Key Growth Areas:
Within the Wholesale trade sub-sector, notable performers included:
- Wholesale of food, beverages & tobacco: Grew by 7.5 per cent YoY to RM13.9 billion, primarily driven by higher sales in meat, poultry, eggs, dairy products, and vegetables.
- Wholesale of household goods: Expanded by 6.6 per cent to RM14.2 billion.
- Other specialised wholesale trade: Increased by 2.8 per cent to RM24.6 billion.
- Wholesale of machinery, equipment, and supplies: Recorded strong growth of 9.8 per cent YoY, reaching RM5.4 billion, mainly supported by increased sales of computer hardware, software, peripherals, telecommunications equipment, and mobile phones.
For the Retail trade sub-sector, Dato’ Sri Dr. Mohd. Uzir Mahidin highlighted:
- Retail sales in non-specialised stores: Increased by 4.2 per cent YoY to RM25.7 billion, bolstered by higher sales in provision stores, mini markets, and convenience stores.
- Retail sales in specialised stores: Grew by 4.5 per cent to RM14.1 billion.
- Retail sales of automotive fuel: Rose by 5.6 per cent to RM6.2 billion, attributed to heightened intercity travel and open house activities during Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
- Retail sales of information & communication equipment: Registered a 5.5 per cent increase to RM5.2 billion, with contributions from sales of computers, computer equipment & supplies, and telecommunication equipment.
- Retail sales of household goods: Expanded by 3.6 per cent to RM7.5 billion, underscoring steady momentum.
The Motor vehicles sub-sector also saw an increase in sales compared to the previous year, supported by a 13.4 per cent rise in Sales, maintenance & repair of motorcycles (RM1.1 billion), and a 2.5 per cent growth in Sales of motor vehicle parts & accessories (RM5.1 billion). This trend aligns with data from the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA), which reported sales of 60,527 vehicles in April compared to 59,905 in the previous year, and the Road Transport Department (JPJ) recording 64,485 vehicle registrations, up from 62,959.
Online retail sales in April showed a YoY increase of 6.3 per cent, though the seasonally adjusted index recorded a month-on-month contraction of -1.2 per cent. In terms of volume, the Wholesale & retail trade recorded a 4.3 per cent YoY increase, primarily driven by wholesale trade (+6.6%) and retail trade (+3.4%), while motor vehicles saw a marginal 0.8% rise.
Source: https://www.businesstoday.com.my/2025/06/16/malaysias-wholesale-and-retail-trade-records-robust-4-7-growth-in-april/