{
  "id": 13035071,
  "title": "Wholesale trade surge lifts retail sales 10.5pct to RM173bil in August",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/wholesale-trade-surge-lifts-retail-sales-10-5pct-to-rm173bil-in-august",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-09T05:18:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/business/economy/2026/10/1551250/wholesale-trade-surge-lifts-retail-sales-105pct-rm173bil-august"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Malaysia's wholesale and retail trade sales surged by 10.5% year-on-year to RM173 billion in August, propelled by robust wholesale trade activity, particularly in petroleum-related products. Wholesale trade saw the most significant growth, increasing 16.5% to RM81.2 billion, mainly driven by other specialized wholesale, which surged 35.6% to RM35.1 billion, primarily from higher sales of petrol, diesel, lubricants, and liquefied petroleum gas. Retail trade sales expanded by 6.5% to RM71.7 billion, with motor vehicle sales rising 2.5% to RM20.1 billion. Retail trade growth was mostly driven by non-specialized store sales, which rose 7.5% to RM28.1 billion, supported by increased sales at supermarkets and department stores. Specialized store retail sales increased 6.9% to RM15 billion, mainly due to higher demand for pharmaceutical and medical goods. Wholesale sales of household goods rose 5.9% to RM15.5 billion, supported by higher demand for pharmaceutical and medical goods and clothing. Wholesale sales of agricultural raw materials and live animals grew 6.8% to RM6.9 billion, driven by stronger demand for palm oil. Volume-wise, the wholesale and retail trade index increased 3.6% year-on-year, led by wholesale trade at 4%, followed by retail trade at 3.8%, and motor vehicles at 1.5%. However, month-over-month, the volume index declined by 0.5%.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s wholesale and retail trade sales rose 10.5 per cent year-on-year to RM173 billion in August, led by stronger wholesale trade activity, particularly petroleum-related products.",
  "key_points": [
    "Wholesale trade surged 16.5% in August, reaching RM81.2 billion",
    "Retail sales grew 6.5% to RM71.7 billion, boosted by motor vehicles",
    "Specialized store retail sales increased 6.9% to RM15 billion"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The surge in wholesale trade, particularly in petroleum-related products and other specialized wholesale, drives growth in retail sales, indicating a shift in demand patterns and economic activity.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "Business : Malaysia’s Wholesale, Retail Trade Sales Rise 10.5 Pct To RM173 Bln In August -- DOSM",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/business-malaysiaa-s-wholesale-retail-trade-sales-rise-10-5-pct-to",
        "published": "2026-10-09T02:45:28.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "DOSM: Wholesale trade leads the charge as Malaysia’s August sales surge to RM173b",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/dosm-wholesale-trade-leads-the-charge-as-malaysias-august-sales-surge",
        "published": "2026-10-09T05:29:28.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}