Wholesale And Retail Trade Up 4.7 Pct In November 2024 With RM149.3 Bln Sales


Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia’s wholesale and retail trade sector grew by 4.7 per cent year-on-year to achieve sales of RM149.3 billion in November 2024, the second-highest monthly sales achieved so far for the year, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).



According to BERNAMA News Agency, Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin stated that the retail trade sub-sector led the growth with a 5.8 per cent rise to RM64.8 billion. This was followed by the wholesale trade sub-sector, which recorded a 4.7 per cent increase in sales, reaching RM66.2 billion.



The motor vehicles sub-sector experienced a growth of 1.4 per cent, amounting to RM18.3 billion. Retail trade demonstrated resilience with non-specialised store sales growing by 5.5 per cent and specialised store sales increasing by 8.2 per cent. Additionally, retail sales of automotive fuel rose by 6.3 per cent, and food, beverages, and tobacco saw a growth of 6.5 per cent.



For the wholesale trade sub-sector, the wholesale of agricultural raw materials and live animals saw significant growth of 13.7 per cent, supported by a 35.4 per cent surge in crude palm oil prices in November. The wholesale of household goods grew by 5.0 per cent, food, beverages, and tobacco by 5.2 per cent, and machinery, equipment, and supplies by 7.9 per cent.



In the motor vehicles sub-sector, Mohd Uzir noted a slower growth of 1.4 per cent compared to 2.7 per cent in the previous month. This was mainly due to a 4.3 per cent decline in motor vehicle sales, which can be attributed to consumers delaying purchases in anticipation of potential year-end discounts or rebates.