Retail sales in South Korea dropped by 1.8% month-over-month in August 2026, following an upwardly revised 2.6% decline in the previous month. This marked the second consecutive month of decrease, largely driven by lower sales of durable goods, such as passenger cars and food and beverages. On a year-on-year basis, retail activity fell by 0.3% in August, after an upwardly revised 1% decline in the preceding period. As a key gauge of private consumption, the latest figures suggest household spending remained under pressure in August, pointing to continued weakness in domestic demand and a cautious consumer environment in the country. source: Statistics Korea

Retail Sales in South Korea decreased 1.80 percent in August of 2026 over the previous month. Retail Sales MoM in South Korea averaged 0.24 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 October of 2026.

Retail Sales in South Korea decreased 1.80 percent in August of 2026 over the previous month. Retail Sales MoM in South Korea is expected to be 1.20 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 0.50 percent in 2027 and 0.20 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-08-30 11:00 PM
Retail Sales MoM
Jul -2.4% 2.7% -2.0%
2026-09-29 11:00 PM
Retail Sales MoM
Aug -1.8% -2.6% 3.0%
2026-10-29 11:00 PM
Retail Sales MoM
Sep -1.8% 1.2%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Bank Lending Rate 4.40 4.27 percent Aug 2026
Consumer Confidence 106.60 104.50 points Sep 2026
Consumer Credit 2019785.30 1993923.90 KRW Billion Jun 2026
Consumer Spending 285021.60 283776.00 KRW Billion Jun 2026
Disposable Personal Income 2588759.30 2438258.30 KRW Billion Dec 2024
Economic Optimism Index 99.90 99.40 points Sep 2026
Gasoline Prices 1.37 1.36 USD/Liter Sep 2026
Households Debt to GDP 85.10 88.10 percent of GDP Mar 2026
Personal Savings 45.60 41.70 percent Jun 2026
Retail Sales MoM -1.80 -2.60 percent Aug 2026
Retail Sales YoY -0.30 -1.00 percent Aug 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
-1.80 -2.60 5.50 -12.40 1995 - 2026 percent Monthly
2020=100, SA

News Stream
South Korea Retail Sales Fall Again in August
Retail sales in South Korea dropped by 1.8% month-over-month in August 2026, following an upwardly revised 2.6% decline in the previous month. This marked the second consecutive month of decrease, largely driven by lower sales of durable goods, such as passenger cars and food and beverages. On a year-on-year basis, retail activity fell by 0.3% in August, after an upwardly revised 1% decline in the preceding period. As a key gauge of private consumption, the latest figures suggest household spending remained under pressure in August, pointing to continued weakness in domestic demand and a cautious consumer environment in the country.
2026-09-29
South Korea Retail Sales Decline in July
Retail sales in South Korea declined by 2.4% month-over-month in July 2026, reversing a 2.7% increase in the previous month. The decrease was largely driven by lower sales of durable goods, particularly passenger cars and home appliances. On a year-on-year basis, retail activity dropped by 0.8% in July, slipping from a downwardly revised 3.9% rise in the preceding period. As a key gauge of private consumption, the latest figures suggest household spending lost momentum at the start of the third quarter, pointing to weaker domestic demand and could weigh on economic growth.
2026-08-30
South Korea Retail Sales Growth at 5-Month High
Retail sales in South Korea rose by 2.7% month-over-month in June 2026, accelerating from a 0.1% rise in the previous month and marking the strongest growth since January. The increase was largely driven by higher sales of durable goods, particularly automobiles. On a year-on-year basis, retail sales increased by 4.2% in June, the fastest rise in three months and up from a downwardly revised 1.5% gain in the preceding period. As a key gauge of private consumption, the latest figures suggest household spending gained solid momentum at the end of the second quarter, providing a positive signal for domestic demand.
2026-07-30