KUALA LUMPUR (April 13): Sales value of wholesale and retail trade stood at RM90.1 billion in February 2017, registering an 8.3% growth as compared to the corresponding period in 2016.

A statement today by the Office of the Chief Statistician Malaysia, Department of Statistics Malaysia showed that the sales value consists of wholesale trade (RM44.1 billion), retail trade (RM35.7 billion) and motor vehicles (RM10.3 billion) businesses.

The positive growth was contributed by both retail trade (8.7%) and wholesale trade (8.5%) businesses.

Meanwhile, the volume index of wholesale and retail trade in February 2017 rose 5% year-on-year (y-o-y) to 146.3 points, supported by increase in retail trade (6%), motor vehicles (4.6%) and wholesale trade (4.2%), said the Department of Statistics. The seasonally adjusted volume index of wholesale and retail trade increased 0.9% as compared to the preceding month.

Sales value of wholesale trade business in February 2017 grew 8.5% y-o-y to RM44.1 billion. On a monthly basis, sales value of trade business decreased 4.3%.

The volume index of wholesale trade in February 2017 stood at 152.2 points, up 4.2% y-o-y. Month-on-month (m-o-m), the volume index of wholesale trade (seasonally adjusted) increased 0.5%.

On the other hand, retail trade business recorded an increase in sales value to RM35.7 billion or 8.7% compared to last year. However, retail trade dropped 1.1% m-o-m.

The volume index of retail trade rose 6% y-o-y to 152.2 points in February 2017. Compared to the previous month, the seasonally adjusted volume index of retail trade went up by 0.5%.

In February this year, sales value of motor vehicles business increased 5.8% to RM10.3 billion as compared to the same month in the preceding year. On a monthly basis, sales value of motor vehicles business declined 9.1%.

The volume index of motor vehicles increased 4.6% y-o-y to 116.5 points in February 2017. The seasonally adjusted volume index of motor vehicles went up 1.5% m-o-m.