FX.co ★ Malaysia Retail Sales Growth Eases to 5.9%

In February 2025, retail sales in Malaysia experienced a year-on-year increase of 5.9%, a noticeable slowdown from January's 8.2% growth. This deceleration was largely attributed to more tempered growth in most sub-sectors. Specifically, non-specialized stores saw growth ease to 5.9% from 9.7% in January, while growth in food, beverages, and tobacco sales declined to 6.4% from 8.8%. Similarly, automotive fuel sales growth dropped to 6.2% from 7.8%. Other categories also recorded softer growth, including household equipment at 4.6% compared to 4.7%, cultural and recreational goods at 8.6% down from 9.4%, and miscellaneous goods at 5.5% versus the previous 8.3%. Trade via stalls and markets slowed to 7.6% from 10.8%, and sales outside these channels decreased slightly to 9.2% from 9.6%. Month-on-month, retail sales fell by 1.5%, marking the most significant decline since January 2024, following a 0.5% increase in the preceding month. In contrast, wholesale trade growth improved to 5.1% from 4.6%, and the motor vehicle trade grew by 1.5% year-on-year.