KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 12): Malaysia’s wholesale and retail trade sales rose 10.1% year-on-year to RM168.5 billion in June, with growth recorded across wholesale, retail and motor vehicle segments, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

The volume index increased 5.1% from a year earlier, while on a month-on-month basis, the index rebounded 1.3%.

Wholesale trade remained the largest contributor to the increase in sales, rising 12.4% year-on-year to RM76.8 billion. The DOSM said the increase was led by other specialised wholesale, which grew 25.3% to RM31 billion, reflecting higher sales of petroleum products including petrol, diesel, lubricants and liquefied petroleum gas.

Wholesale of household goods rose 6.5% to RM15.3 billion, supported by demand for pharmaceutical and medical products, jewellery and clothing. Wholesale of food, beverages and tobacco increased 4.5%, while wholesale of machinery, equipment and supplies grew 6.4% to RM5.7 billion.

Retail trade sales increased 6.6% year-on-year to RM72 billion in June, supported by higher sales at supermarkets and department stores.

Retail sales in non-specialised stores rose 7% to RM28 billion, while sales of other goods in specialised stores also increased 7% to RM15.3 billion. Automotive fuel sales climbed 10.8%, while food, beverage and tobacco sales in specialised stores rose 6.6%.

DOSM attributed part of the retail activity to the Aidiladha festive and school holiday period extending into early June, which supported household purchases and mobility.

The motor vehicle segment recorded the fastest sales growth among the three main sub-sectors, with sales increasing 14.9% year-on-year to RM19.7 billion. Sales of motor vehicles rose 22.3% to RM9.8 billion, supported by higher vehicle sales and registrations.

DOSM said data from the Malaysian Automotive Association showed 67,879 vehicles were sold in June, while the Road Transport Department recorded 73,905 registrations.

Sales of motor vehicle parts and accessories increased 8.3%, while maintenance and repair of motor vehicles rose 7%. Motorcycle sales, maintenance and repair activities increased 13%.

Online retail also maintained its growth momentum, with the online retail sales index rising 9% year-on-year in June, accelerating from 8.6% growth in May.

In terms of volume index, motor vehicles recorded the strongest expansion at 13.2%, followed by wholesale and retail trade, both of which grew 4.2%.