FX.co ★ Thailand Retail Sales Surge 41.4% in April

Retail sales in Thailand experienced a significant year-on-year increase of 41.4% in April 2025, a rise from the adjusted 32.3% growth observed in the preceding month. This surge represents the most substantial retail sales growth since November 2012, largely driven by government initiatives like the digital wallet program designed to enhance private consumption through cash transfers. Analyzing the sub-components, there was a notable increase in "other retail sales" which climbed to 89.1%, up from 84% in March. This rise was propelled by the booming trade through stalls, markets, mail order services, and online platforms. Additionally, there was a slight uptick in growth for non-durable goods, reaching 3.6% from March's 3%, while trade in durable goods decelerated to 0.3% from 2.1%. Similarly, sales at department stores, supermarkets, and general stores saw a slowdown, posting a 13.9% increase compared to the previous 23.3%. Conversely, there was a decline in sales for motor vehicles and automotive fuel, which decreased by 0.3% following a 1% drop earlier. On a month-to-month basis, retail trade saw a robust jump of 19.1% compared to the 12.6% growth recorded in March.