How did Labour Day and school holidays boost May retail activity?

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Retail Sales Experienced a Significant Increase in May Driven by Public Holidays and Consumer Spending

Malaysia's wholesale and retail trade sales reached RM171.3 billion in May, marking an 11 per cent increase from the previous year. This overall growth was significantly bolstered by heightened consumer activity and travel during the Labour Day public holiday, the Eid al-Adha festive period, the Wesak Day holiday, and the school holidays that concluded in the final week of May. Online retail sales also continued their upward trend, with the sales index experiencing an 8.6 per cent year-on-year rise.
Increased Travel and Consumer Spending Drove Overall Sales

The period encompassing Labour Day, Eid al-Adha, Wesak Day, and the end-of-May school holidays provided a substantial uplift to retail activity. This surge in consumer engagement, facilitated by increased travel and discretionary spending, contributed to the overall positive performance of the wholesale and retail trade sector. The volume index for wholesale and retail trade saw a 3.1 per cent increase compared to May of the prior year, reflecting this heightened commercial momentum.
Retail Trade Sub-Sector Showed Steady Growth

Within the broader trade sector, retail trade specifically recorded sales of RM71.9 billion, an increase of RM4.8 billion or 7.2 per cent compared to the same month last year. This growth was primarily led by retail sales in non-specialised stores, which rose by 8.2 per cent to RM28 billion, supported by consistent sales in supermarkets and department stores. Additionally, retail sales of other goods in specialised stores grew by 6.7 per cent to RM15 billion.
Online Retail Sales Continued Expansion

The e-commerce segment demonstrated continued resilience and expansion in May, with its sales index increasing by 8.6 per cent year-on-year. This sustained growth in online retail activity is indicative of ongoing consumer confidence in digital purchasing platforms and reflects a broader shift in shopping habits. The performance of online retail sales outpaced the 7.1 per cent increase observed in April, underscoring its growing importance within the retail landscape.

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How did Labour Day and school holidays boost May retail activity?

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