Retail sales in Taiwan rose by 4.9% year-on-year in May 2026, easing from a 5.2% increase in April. Growth remained positive across most categories but generally moderated, led by general merchandise stores (5.5% vs 7.2% in April), textiles and clothing (8.1% vs 14.1%), pharmaceutical and medical goods (5.9% vs 6.6%), cultural and recreation goods (9.0% vs 10.6%), information and communications equipment (4.3% vs 11.0%), non-store retail (5.4% vs 5.7%), and e-shop and mail-order houses (8.7% vs 9.1%). Meanwhile, sales of food, beverages and tobacco slipped into contraction (-0.2% vs 3.7%), while sales of motor vehicles, motorcycles and related parts remained negative despite a softer decline (-0.9% vs -4.6%). In contrast, growth accelerated for household appliances (6.0% vs 3.7%), construction materials (10.0% vs 4.7%), fuel and related products (16.9% vs 7.1%), and other retail sales (10.0% vs 6.6%). On a monthly basis, retail sales rose 2.6% in May, reversing a 0.3% decline in April.