South Korea Retail Sales Growth Flat in Feb

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.

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.

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.