PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s wholesale and retail sales in November 2021 increased 7% year-on-year to a record high of RM118.1 billion, surpassing the previous month’s level of 116.2 billion from RM.
The Statistics Department attributed the increase to the wholesale trade sub-sector, which recorded a growth of 6.8% to RM56.3 billion last November.
In its report on the performance of wholesale and retail trade, the Department of Statistics noted that retail trade increased by 6.7% to RM47.8 billion, while the motor vehicle segment grew. increased by 8.6% to RM13.9 billion.
Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin (pictured) said growth in the wholesale subsector of 6.8% was supported by other specialist wholesalers, which rose 7.6% to reach RM22.1 billion.
This was followed by wholesale food, drink and tobacco with growth of 11.2% to RM11.4 billion.
“Similarly, the wholesale trade of agricultural raw materials and live animals also increased by 15.5% to RM4.7 billion, due to higher commodity prices. Compared to the previous month, sales of this sub-sector increased by 1% in November 2021,” said Mohd Uzir.
In the retail sub-sector, the 6.7% increase was attributable to retail sales at non-specialty stores, which recorded an increase of 9.9% or RM1.6 billion to 17, RM7 billion.
Similarly, other groups within this sub-sector also recorded positive growth, namely retail sales of motor fuels (18.2%), retail sales of housewares (6.4%), retail sales of food, beverages and tobacco (9.1%), retail sales sales outside stores, stalls or markets (28.4%), retail sales of cultural and leisure goods (4.5 %), retail sale of information and communication equipment (0.8%) and retail sale in stand and market (11.6%).
However, specialty store retail sales remained negative for the sixth consecutive month to register minus 1%. On a monthly basis, retail trade grew 3.4%, with all groups in this subsector posting positive growth.
“The 8.6% growth in the motor vehicle sub-sector was attributed to motor vehicle sales which continued a double-digit growth of 11.8% to RM8.1 billion. Motorbike sales, maintenance and repair followed with 9.4% to register RM1.2 billion.
