This publication presents statistics on the Wholesale & retail trade based on Economic Census undertaken in 2023 for the reference year 2022. The Wholesale & retail trade comprises Wholesale trade, Retail trade and Motor vehicles. Overall, the main statistics of Wholesale & retail trade in 2022 showed a positive annual growth rate compared to 2018.

In 2022, the number of establishments operating in Wholesale & retail trade was 475,566 establishments with sales value of RM1,582.4 billion. The sector generated a gross output value of RM486.2 billion and intermediate input of RM186.5 billion.  

Subsequently, the total value added for this sector was RM299.7 billion. For number of persons engaged, this sector recorded 2,171,513 persons in 2022 with salaries & wages of RM76.2 billion. Meanwhile, fixed assets owned by establishments in the Wholesale & retail trade registered RM141.3 billion in 2022.

The gross margin for the sector increased to 27.9 per cent in 2022 compared to 27.8 per cent in 2018. The Retail trade sub-sector recorded the highest gross margin at 30.9 per cent, followed by Motor vehicles at 26.2 per cent, and Wholesale trade at 25.6 per cent. 

The full publication of the Economic Census 2023 for Wholesale & Retail Trade can be downloaded through eStatistik on the DOSM portal, www.dosm.gov.my.