Retail sales in South Africa surged by 4.2% year-on-year in January 2026, the most in six months, following a downwardly revised 2.5% increase in the prior month. Figures came in above market forecasts of a 2.5% rise. The largest contributors to the increase were retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear, and leather goods, which rose 9.9% and added 1.6 percentage points; all ‘other’ retailers, up 10.3% and contributing 1.2 points; and general dealers, which increased 1.7%, adding 0.7 points. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, retail trade went up 0.9%, after a revised 0.5% fall in the prior month. source: Statistics South Africa

Retail Sales in South Africa increased 4.20 percent in January of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Retail Sales YoY in South Africa averaged 3.59 percent from 2003 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 87.00 percent in April of 2021 and a record low of -47.60 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 March of 2026.

Retail Sales in South Africa increased 4.20 percent in January of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Retail Sales YoY in South Africa is expected to be 1.70 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the South Africa Retail Sales YoY is projected to trend around 2.30 percent in 2027 and 2.10 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-02-18 11:00 AM
Retail Sales YoY
Dec 2.6% 3.6% 3.7%
2026-03-18 11:00 AM
Retail Sales YoY
Jan 4.2% 2.5% 2.5% 2.3%
2026-04-22 11:00 AM
Retail Sales YoY
Feb 4.2%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Prime Overdraft Rate 10.25 10.25 percent Mar 2026
Consumer Confidence -7.00 -9.00 points Mar 2026
Consumer Spending 3277648.94 3240360.44 ZAR Million Dec 2025
Disposable Personal Income 5014296.00 4904765.00 ZAR Million Sep 2025
Gasoline Prices 1.19 1.26 USD/Liter Mar 2026
Households Debt to GDP 33.50 33.70 percent of GDP Sep 2025
Households Debt to Income 62.50 62.40 percent Dec 2024
Personal Savings -1.20 -1.10 percent Sep 2025
Private Sector Credit YoY 10.50 8.83 percent Feb 2026
Retail Sales MoM 0.90 -0.50 percent Jan 2026
Retail Sales YoY 4.20 2.50 percent Jan 2026


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.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
4.20 2.50 87.00 -47.60 2003 - 2026 percent Monthly
Constant Prices 2019

News Stream
South Africa Retail Trade Rises More than Anticipated
Retail sales in South Africa surged by 4.2% year-on-year in January 2026, the most in six months, following a downwardly revised 2.5% increase in the prior month. Figures came in above market forecasts of a 2.5% rise. The largest contributors to the increase were retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear, and leather goods, which rose 9.9% and added 1.6 percentage points; all ‘other’ retailers, up 10.3% and contributing 1.2 points; and general dealers, which increased 1.7%, adding 0.7 points. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, retail trade went up 0.9%, after a revised 0.5% fall in the prior month.
2026-03-18
South Africa Retail Sales Growth Slows in December
Retail sales in South Africa rose by 2.6% year-on-year in December 2025, following an upwardly revised 3.6% surge in the prior month. This marked the slowest growth in retail activity since last August, though overall levels remained modest. The slowdown was particularly evident in sales of pharmaceuticals and medical goods, cosmetics and toiletries (1.4% vs 9.8% in November) and textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (0.1% vs 3%). Additionally, spending on food, beverages and tobacco (-5.6% vs 0.2%) declined sharply. Meanwhile, sales growth picked up for household furniture, appliances and equipment (11.5% vs 8.1%). On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, retail trade shrank by 0.4%, the most in four months, after a 0.6% increase in the previous month. In 2025, retail trade sales increased by 3.7% compared with 2024.
2026-02-18
South Africa Retail Sales Growth Above Forecasts
South Africa’s retail trade rose at a faster 3.5% year-on-year in November 2025, after an upwardly revised 3% advance in October and above market estimates of a 2.5% increase. This signaled the strongest growth in retail activity in four months, mainly on account of general dealers (+2.2%, +1.0 percentage points); all ‘other’ retailers (+8.0%, +0.8 pp); and retailers of pharmaceuticals, medical goods, cosmetics, and toiletries (+10.1%, +0.6 pp). Meanwhile, sales of food, beverages and tobacco continued to fall (-0.8% vs -2.3%). On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, retail trade went up by 0.6%, following an upwardly revised 1% rise in the previous month. Retail trade sales grew by 3.2% in the three months ended November 2025 compared with the three months ended November 2024.
2026-01-21