KUALA LUMPUR, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's retail industry recorded a 3.7 percent growth in retail sales in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period last year, falling short of the 4.4 percent growth forecast made by retailers in March, according to Retail Group Malaysia (RGM).
The retail spending was supported by the celebrations of Chinese New Year in February and Eid al-Fitr in March, as well as government cash assistance programs, the RGM said in a statement on Friday.
Looking ahead, retailers expect business growth to accelerate to 4.8 percent in the second quarter, supported by a low-base effect following a 3 percent decline in the same period last year.
However, the RGM has revised down its 2026 retail sales growth forecast to 3.8 percent from 4 percent, citing concerns over weaker consumer purchasing power amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. Enditem
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