South Korea’s retail sales increased 2.3% month-on-month in January 2026, accelerating from a 0.6% rise in December and marking the fastest expansion in three months, suggesting a rebound in household spending at the start of the year. Gains were likely supported by stronger demand for durable goods and seasonal factors, though underlying consumption trends remain uneven. On a year-on-year basis, retail sales edged up just 0.1% in January, slowing sharply from a 1.3% increase in December. source: Statistics Korea

Retail Sales in South Korea increased 2.30 percent in January of 2026 over the previous month. Retail Sales MoM in South Korea averaged 0.26 percent from 1995 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 5.50 percent in December of 1995 and a record low of -12.40 percent in January of 1998. This page provides the latest reported value for - South Korea Retail Sales MoM - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. South Korea Retail Sales MoM - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on March of 2026.

Retail Sales in South Korea increased 2.30 percent in January of 2026 over the previous month. Retail Sales MoM in South Korea is expected to be 0.30 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the South Korea Retail Sales MoM is projected to trend around 0.20 percent in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-01-29 11:00 PM
Retail Sales MoM
Dec 0.9% -3.3% 2.0%
2026-03-03 11:00 PM
Retail Sales MoM
Jan 2.3% 0.6% 0.2%
2026-03-30 11:00 PM
Retail Sales MoM
Feb 2.3% 1.1%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Bank Lending Rate 4.24 4.19 percent Jan 2026
Consumer Confidence 112.10 110.80 points Feb 2026
Consumer Credit 1978785.00 1964814.70 KRW Billion Dec 2025
Consumer Spending 280610.30 279749.60 KRW Billion Dec 2025
Disposable Personal Income 2588759.30 2438258.30 KRW Billion Dec 2024
Economic Optimism Index 98.80 94.00 points Feb 2026
Gasoline Prices 1.18 1.18 USD/Liter Feb 2026
Households Debt to GDP 89.40 89.70 percent of GDP Sep 2025
Personal Savings 35.90 34.40 percent Dec 2025
Retail Sales MoM 2.30 0.60 percent Jan 2026
Retail Sales YoY 0.10 1.30 percent Jan 2026


South Korea Retail Sales MoM
In South Korea, the Retail sales report provides an aggregated measure of sales of retail goods and services over a specific time period. In South Korea, Retail sales are seasonal, volatile and relatively important to the overall economy.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
2.30 0.60 5.50 -12.40 1995 - 2026 percent Monthly
2020=100, SA

News Stream
South Korea Retail Sales Growth at 3-Month High
South Korea’s retail sales increased 2.3% month-on-month in January 2026, accelerating from a 0.6% rise in December and marking the fastest expansion in three months, suggesting a rebound in household spending at the start of the year. Gains were likely supported by stronger demand for durable goods and seasonal factors, though underlying consumption trends remain uneven. On a year-on-year basis, retail sales edged up just 0.1% in January, slowing sharply from a 1.3% increase in December.
2026-03-03
South Korea Retail Sales Grow 0.5% in 2025
South Korea’s retail sales rose 0.5% year-on-year in 2025, rebounding from a contraction in the previous year, supported mainly by stronger demand for durable goods such as vehicles. In December, retail sales increased 0.9% month-on-month, reversing a sharp 3.3% decline in November. Retail sales are a key indicator of private consumption, and the late-year rebound points to some stabilization in household spending momentum.
2026-01-29
South Korea Retail Sales Drop 3.3% MoM
South Korea’s retail sales fell 3.3% month-over-month in November 2025, reversing from a marginally revised 3.6% increase in the previous month. It marked the sixth monthly decline this year, as high borrowing costs and elevated living expenses continued to weigh on household spending. Meanwhile, the fading impact of earlier promotional campaigns further constrained sales heading into year-end.
2025-12-29