Retail sales in South Korea rose by 1.8% month-on-month in March 2026, rebounding from a revised 0.3% fall in the previous month. The recovery was largely driven by increased sales of consumer durable goods, particularly communication devices, computers and home appliances. On a year-on-year basis, retail sales grew by 5% in March, the sharpest since January 2022 and accelerating from a 4.3% rise in the preceding period. As a key gauge of private consumption, the data signals a renewed pickup in household spending momentum toward the end of first quarter, reversing February’s weakness and pointing to firmer near-term domestic demand. source: Statistics Korea

Retail Sales in South Korea increased 1.80 percent in March 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 May of 2026.

Retail Sales in South Korea increased 1.80 percent in March of 2026 over the previous month. Retail Sales MoM in South Korea is expected to be 0.50 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
2026-03-30 11:00 PM
Retail Sales MoM
Feb 0% 2.9% 1.1%
2026-04-29 11:00 PM
Retail Sales MoM
Mar 1.8% -0.3% 0.5%
2026-05-28 11:00 PM
Retail Sales MoM
Apr 1.8% 0.4%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Bank Lending Rate 4.20 4.26 percent Mar 2026
Consumer Confidence 106.10 99.20 points May 2026
Consumer Credit 1993110.80 1979088.40 KRW Billion Mar 2026
Consumer Spending 281899.10 280610.30 KRW Billion Mar 2026
Disposable Personal Income 2588759.30 2438258.30 KRW Billion Dec 2024
Economic Optimism Index 91.70 94.00 points Apr 2026
Gasoline Prices 1.36 1.23 USD/Liter Apr 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 1.80 -0.30 percent Mar 2026
Retail Sales YoY 5.00 4.30 percent Mar 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 -0.30 5.50 -12.40 1995 - 2026 percent Monthly
2020=100, SA

News Stream
South Korea Retail Sales Rebound in March
Retail sales in South Korea rose by 1.8% month-on-month in March 2026, rebounding from a revised 0.3% fall in the previous month. The recovery was largely driven by increased sales of consumer durable goods, particularly communication devices, computers and home appliances. On a year-on-year basis, retail sales grew by 5% in March, the sharpest since January 2022 and accelerating from a 4.3% rise in the preceding period. As a key gauge of private consumption, the data signals a renewed pickup in household spending momentum toward the end of first quarter, reversing February’s weakness and pointing to firmer near-term domestic demand.
2026-04-29
South Korea Retail Sales Growth Flat in Feb
South Korea’s retail sales were unchanged in February from the previous month, following a 2.9% increase in January, which marked the fastest expansion in three months. Sales declined for semidurable goods such as clothing, while purchases of food and beverage products increased. As a key gauge of private consumption, the flat reading points to stable momentum in consumer spending at the start of the year.
2026-03-30
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