Malaysian retail sales grew by 7.1 per cent in July. 

Combined with the wholesale trade, a new record high of RM112.5 billion (US$26.94 billion) turnover was set for the month. 

According to Malaysia’s chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin, the retail trade alone grew by 7.1 per cent, that figure fuelled by a 10.5-per-cent growth in sales of food, beverages and tobacco.

This was followed by retail sales of other goods in specialised stores and retail sales in non-specialised stores which registered 8.2 per cent and 8.1 per cent respectively. 

For wholesale trade, sales value expanded 6.6 per cent. However, sales of motor vehicles fell by 1.7 per cent year on year. 

Growth on a month-on-month basis in combined wholesale and retail sales rose by 0.2 per cent, with the retail trade up by 1.1 per cent and wholesale transactions down by 2.3 per cent.