Retail sales in Taiwan jumped by 5.2% year-on-year in April 2026, following an upwardly revised 3.3% increase in March. Sales accelerated in general merchandise (7.2% vs 4.2% in March), textiles and clothing (14.1% vs 2.2%), pharmaceutical, medical goods, and cosmetics (6.6% vs 5.5%), cultural and recreation goods (10.6% vs 3.7%), fuel and related products (7.1% vs 1.6%), construction materials (4.7% vs 4.3%), and trade not in stores or stalls (5.7% vs 5.6%), while remaining steady for e-shop and mail-order houses (at 9.1%). Conversely, growth slowed for food, beverages, and tobacco (3.7% vs 5.5%), household appliances and goods (3.7% vs 5.5%), information and communications equipment and electrical household appliances (11.0% vs 13.8%), and other retail sales in specialized stores (6.6% vs 13.4%), while sales of motor vehicles, motorcycles, and related parts fell at a faster pace (-4.6% vs -4.0%). On a monthly basis, retail sales declined by 0.3%, reversing from a 6.0% rise in March.