KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's retail industry has reported a lower-than-expected growth rate of 2.4 percent in 2025 after recording a disappointing growth rate of 2.5 percent in retail sales in the fourth quarter, according to the latest Malaysia retail industry report.
Retail Group Malaysia (RGM) said in a statement on Thursday that despite the year-end festive celebration, Malaysian consumers were careful in their spending.
Meanwhile, members of the retailers' association have projected an average growth rate of 4.4 percent for the Malaysian retail industry during the first quarter of 2026.
RGM has maintained its projection on the annual retail sales growth rate for 2026 at 4 percent, but cautioned on the impacts of the ongoing Middle East conflict on the cost of living of Malaysians. ■
