Retail sales in South Africa fell 12 percent year-on-year in May of 2020, following a record 50.4 percent plunge in April due to the coronavirus crisis and consequent restrictions imposed since March 27th. Main declines were seen in sales of household furniture, appliances and equipment (-30.1 percent); and food, beverages and tobacco (-29.1 percent). On a monthly basis, retail sales went up 74.2 percent after a 50.7 percent fall in April.

Retail Sales YoY in South Africa averaged 3.94 percent from 2003 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 15.50 percent in September of 2006 and a record low of -50.40 percent in April of 2020. This page provides - South Africa Retail Sales YoY - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. South Africa Retail Sales YoY - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on August of 2020. source: Statistics South Africa

Retail Sales YoY in South Africa is expected to be 0.90 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. Looking forward, we estimate Retail Sales YoY in South Africa to stand at 2.50 in 12 months time. In the long-term, the South Africa Retail Sales YoY is projected to trend around 2.00 percent in 2021 and 1.80 percent in 2022, according to our econometric models.

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South Africa Retail Sales YoY

Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
-12.00 -50.40 15.50 -50.40 2003 - 2020 percent Monthly
Constant Prices 2015


Calendar GMT Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2020-05-20 11:00 AM Feb 2% 1.3% 1.2% 1.4%
2020-06-24 11:00 AM Mar 2.7% 1.9% -1.7%
2020-07-22 11:00 AM Apr -50.4% 2.9% -6%
2020-07-22 11:00 AM May -12.0% -50.4% -4%
2020-08-12 11:00 AM Jun -12% 8%
2020-09-16 11:00 AM Jul
2020-10-16 11:00 AM Aug
2020-11-18 11:00 AM Sep 0.9%
Go to our Calendar for more events. Or learn more about the Calendar API for direct access.


News Stream
South Africa Retail Sales Slump for 2nd Month
Retail sales in South Africa fell 12 percent year-on-year in May of 2020, following a record 50.4 percent plunge in April due to the coronavirus crisis and consequent restrictions imposed since March 27th. Main declines were seen in sales of household furniture, appliances and equipment (-30.1 percent); and food, beverages and tobacco (-29.1 percent). On a monthly basis, retail sales went up 74.2 percent after a 50.7 percent fall in April.
2020-07-22
South Africa Retail Trade Growth at Near 1-Year High
South Africa's retail trade advanced 2.7 percent year-on-year in March of 2020, following a downwardly revised 1.9 percent increase in the previous month. It was the sharpest rise in retail activity since April of last year, as the country's strict coronavirus lockdown was introduced only on March 27th. Sales grew mostly for pharmaceuticals and medical goods, cosmetics & toiletries (13.9 percent vs -2.1 percent in February) and at general dealers (11.6 percent vs 0.7 percent). Meanwhile, those of food, beverages & tobacco slowed sharply (0.1 percent vs 1.1 percent). On the other hand, sales plunged for textiles, clothing, footwear & leather goods (-14.3 percent vs 1.7 percent) and furnishings (-10 percent vs 5 percent). On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, retail sales rose 2.3 percent, the most since November of 2017, reversing a downwardly revised 0.3 percent fall in the previous month.
2020-06-24
South Africa Retail Trade Rises More than Expected
South Africa's retail sales increased 2 percent year-on-year in February of 2020, following an upwardly revised 1.3 percent rise in January and easily beating market expectations of a 1.2 percent gain, as sales advanced faster for all other retailers (8.9 percent vs 4.8 percent in January) and general dealers (1.3 percent vs 0.3 percent). Meanwhile, smaller increases were seen in those of food, beverages & tobacco (1 percent vs 4.7 percent); textiles, clothing, footwear & leather goods (1.5 percent vs 2.1 percent) and household furniture, appliances & equipment (4.7 percent vs 6.4 percent). On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, retail sales went down 0.4 percent, after a downwardly revised 0.5 percent increase in the prior month.
2020-05-20
South Africa Retail Sales Rebound in January
South Africa's retail sales increased 1.2 percent year-on-year in January of 2020, following an upwardly revised 0.5 percent fall in December and beating market expectations of a 0.3 percent rise. Sales grew faster for household furniture, appliances & equipment (6.2 percent vs 3 percent in December) and food, beverages and tobacco (4.4 percent vs 0.7 percent). In addition, sales recovered for textiles, clothing, footwear & leather goods (2.2 percent vs -0.2 percent); all other retailers (4.2 percent vs -1.3 percent) and general dealers (0.3 percent vs -0.9 percent). Conversely, declines were seen in those of pharmaceuticals and medical goods, cosmetics & toiletries (-1.7 percent vs 2.7 percent) and hardware, paint & glass (-4.6 percent vs -3.8 percent). On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, retail sales went up 0.9 percent, after an upwardly revised 3.2 percent decline in the prior month.
2020-03-18

South Africa Retail Sales YoY
In South Africa, the year-over-year change in Retail sales compares the aggregated sales of retail goods and services during a certain month to the same month a year ago.