Retail sales in South Africa rose by 3.3% from a year ago in August 2026, following a 3.4% advance in July. The reading exceeded market expectations of 3%, keeping retail sales growth close to its strongest level since early 2026. The increase was supported by strong performances across several retail segments, particularly textile, clothing, footwear and leather goods, where sales rose 6.5%. Other retailers recorded the fastest growth among the main contributors, at 8.1%, while general dealers saw a more modest 2.0% increase. Specialised food, beverage and tobacco stores also performed well, with sales up 5.8%. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, retail sales shrank by 0.3%, after a downwardly revised 2.4% rise in the prior month. Retail trade sales grew by 2.6% in the three months ended August 2026 compared with the three months ended August 2025. source: Statistics South Africa

Retail Sales in South Africa increased 3.30 percent in August of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Retail Sales YoY in South Africa averaged 3.55 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 October of 2026.

Retail Sales in South Africa increased 3.30 percent in August of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Retail Sales YoY in South Africa is expected to be 2.30 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 3.10 percent in 2027 and 2.40 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-09-16 11:00 AM
Retail Sales YoY
Jul 3.4% 1.1% 0.9% -3.0%
2026-10-21 11:00 AM
Retail Sales YoY
Aug 3.3% 3.4% 3% 2.5%
2026-11-18 11:00 AM
Retail Sales YoY
Sep 3.3% 2.3%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Prime Overdraft Rate 10.75 10.50 percent Sep 2026
Consumer Confidence -13.00 -19.00 points Sep 2026
Consumer Spending 3293073.00 3278973.00 ZAR Million Jun 2026
Disposable Personal Income 5261121.00 5146330.00 ZAR Million Jun 2026
Gasoline Prices 1.64 1.58 USD/Liter Sep 2026
Households Debt to GDP 33.70 33.70 percent of GDP Mar 2026
Households Debt to Income 61.90 62.70 percent Dec 2025
Personal Savings -1.60 -1.30 percent Jun 2026
Private Sector Credit YoY 7.47 7.41 percent Aug 2026
Retail Sales MoM -0.30 2.50 percent Aug 2026
Retail Sales YoY 3.30 3.40 percent Aug 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
3.30 3.40 87.00 -47.60 2003 - 2026 percent Monthly
Constant Prices 2019

News Stream
South Africa Retail Trade Rises More than Expected
Retail sales in South Africa rose by 3.3% from a year ago in August 2026, following a 3.4% advance in July. The reading exceeded market expectations of 3%, keeping retail sales growth close to its strongest level since early 2026. The increase was supported by strong performances across several retail segments, particularly textile, clothing, footwear and leather goods, where sales rose 6.5%. Other retailers recorded the fastest growth among the main contributors, at 8.1%, while general dealers saw a more modest 2.0% increase. Specialised food, beverage and tobacco stores also performed well, with sales up 5.8%. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, retail sales shrank by 0.3%, after a downwardly revised 2.4% rise in the prior month. Retail trade sales grew by 2.6% in the three months ended August 2026 compared with the three months ended August 2025.
2026-10-21
South Africa Retail Sales Growth Beats Forecasts
Retail Sales in South Africa surged by 3.4% from a year ago in July 2026, following a downwardly revised 1.1% rise in June and overshooting market forecasts of a 0.9% increase. This marked the strongest growth in retail activity since January, mainly on account of general dealers (3.2% and contributing 1.3 percentage points); all ‘other’ retailers (6.8%); retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (2.9%) and retailers in food, beverages and tobacco in specialised stores (4.8%). On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, retail sales climbed by 2.5%, after an upwardly revised 0.8% decrease in June. Retail trade sales rose by 2.2% in the three months ended July 2026 compared with the three months ended July 2025.
2026-09-16
South Africa Retail Trade Growth Below Forecasts
Retail sales in South Africa rose by 1.6% year-on-year in June 2026, slowing from a downwardly revised 2.2% increase in May and missing market expectations of a 2.3% advance. The slowdown was reflected in pharmaceuticals and medical goods, cosmetics and toiletries, where sales growth eased to 1.4% from 1.8% in May, while hardware, paint and glass and textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods recorded declines of 4% and 2.2%, respectively. More positively, robust sales were seen for household furniture, appliances and equipment (8.5% vs 7.6%); all other retailers (7.5% vs 6.4%); food, beverages & tobacco (3% vs -0.2%) and general dealers (1.8% vs 0.9%). On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, retail sales shrank by 0.6%, after a revised flat reading the month before. Retail trade sales increased by 1.7% in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the second quarter of 2025.
2026-08-19