Indonesia Retail Sales Fall for First Time in a Year

Indonesia’s retail sales increased 3.4% yoy in March 2026, easing from a 6.5% rise in the prior month and marking the weakest growth since June 2025, as post-festive normalization and persistent cost pressures weighed on consumer spending. Sales growth slowed notably for food, beverages, and tobacco (4.7% vs 8.8% in February). Meanwhile, sales dropped for clothing (-2.4% vs 4.9%), other household appliances (-3.5% vs 0.5%), and information & communication equipment (-26.4% vs -28.3%). In contrast, spending strengthened for automotive parts and accessories (15.5% vs 13.1%) and cultural and recreational goods (14.8% vs 10.1%). Sales of automotive fuel rebounded, rising 2.1% after a 9.3% drop in February. On a monthly basis, retail sales surged 10.3%, accelerating sharply from a 4.1% rise in February and posting the strongest gain in a year. Looking ahead, retail activity is expected to soften amid higher non-subsidized fuel prices that pressure household purchasing power.

Indonesia’s retail sales rose 6.5% year-on-year in February 2026, quickening from a 5.7% gain in the previous month and marking the fastest pace since March 2024. The increase reflected strong household spending during Ramadan and the festive season. Growth was led by automotive parts and accessories (13.1% vs 7.4% in January), food, beverages, and tobacco (8.8% vs 8.1%), clothing (4.9% vs 3.4%), and other household appliances (0.5% vs 0.4%). Cultural and recreational goods also expanded, though at a slower pace (10.1% vs 15.9%). In contrast, sales remained weak for automotive fuel (-9.3% vs -5.3%) and information & communication equipment (-28.3% vs -27.1%). On a monthly basis, retail sales grew 4.1%, reversing January’s 2.7% decline and posting the strongest rise in 11 months. Looking ahead, March retail trade is expected to ease as spending normalizes following the festive surge.

Indonesia’s retail sales rose 5.7% year-on-year in January 2026, up from 3.5% in December, reflecting continued momentum in household consumption. Sales growth accelerated for cultural and recreational goods (15.9% vs 5.2% in December) and food, beverages, and tobacco (8.1% vs 5.9%). Trade also rebounded for other goods (7.0% vs -1.2%) and clothing (3.4% vs -7.0%). Meanwhile, growth slowed for motor vehicles parts and accessories (7.4% vs 14.8%) and information & communication equipment (-27.1% vs -30.0%). Automotive fuel sales continued to decline (-5.3% vs -7.1%), while other household equipment recorded slight growth (0.4% vs -2.8%). On a monthly basis, retail activity fell 2.7%, the first decline in four months, following a 3.1% gain in December. Looking ahead, retail sales are projected to rise 6.9% year-on-year, led by spare parts and accessories, and increase 4.4% month-on-month.