Wholesale surges drive a three-year high, but durability in doubt
Distributive trade sales accelerated to 9.8% YoY in March (Feb: 7.3%), the fastest pace in three years, supported by festive spending and stockpiling activity amid escalating Middle East tensions. Overall, sales growth expanded to 7.5% in 1Q26 (4Q25: 7.1%), the strongest since 1Q23 (12.8%)
- MoM (8.1%; Feb: -2.2%): Rebounded sharply, marking the strongest momentum since June 2020 (21.8%), snapping a two-month contraction streak.
- Sales value (RM169.0b; Feb: RM156.3b): Rose to a record high.
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