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.

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.

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.