KUALA LUMPUR (March 12): Consumer spending in Malaysia expanded at a slower pace in January as wholesale and retail sales eased from the strong pace recorded a month earlier. Wholesale and retail trade totalled RM159.8 billion in January, an increase of 7.3% when compared to the same month in 2025, the Department of Statistics Malaysia said in a statement. In December 2025, distributive trade had risen 7.6% year-on-year, the fastest pace in nearly three years. The wholesale sector, meanwhile, rose 6% year-on-year to RM70.8 billion mainly attributed to stronger sales of perfumeries, cosmetics, soap and toiletries, as well as stationery, books, magazines and newspapers, and jewellery. In terms of volume, wholesale and retail trade registered growth of 5.8% in January compared with the same month in 2025.

Source: The Edge Markets March 12, 2026 05:19 UTC