The increase was mostly driven by the RM15.4 billion or 37.5% increase in sales in the retail sub-sector to RM56.6 billion, according to the department of statistics Malaysia (DoSM).

Sales value in the wholesale trade sub-sector rose 20.6% or RM10.2 billion to RM59.7 billion in the same period.

However, on a month-on-month comparison, the sales value declined 1.6%, thanks largely to the 10.5% contraction in motor vehicle sales.

The groups that contributed to the improvement in sales were household goods (35%), agricultural raw materials and live animals (17.8%) machinery, equipment and supplies (20%) and food, beverage and tobacco (7.2%).

Chief Statistician Uzir Mahidin said that in the retail sub-sector, motor vehicle sales rose 613.8% or RM12.4 billion to RM14.4 billion.

The main contributors to this significant expansion are the non-specialised stores where sales grew 39.1% or RM5.9 billion to RM20.8 billion.

“Likewise, other groups in this sub-sector also recorded growth, namely retail sales in specialised stores (47.1%), retail sales of automotive fuels (73.7%), and retail sales of household goods (28.8%),” he said.

Uzir said the 613.8% growth in the motor vehicles sub-sector this month was driven by sales of motor vehicles, which rose by 431.5% or RM5.7 billion, to RM7 billion, followed by sales of motor vehicle parts and accessories; maintenance and repair of motor vehicles; as well as sales, maintenance and repair of motorcycles.

In terms of volume index, Uzir said wholesale and retail trade registered year-on-year growth of 33.7%, contributed by motor vehicles and retail trade which increased by 681.6% and 31.6%, respectively. Similarly, wholesale trade also recorded a growth of 10.8%.

However, on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume index went down 1.4% month-on-month.