South Korea Retail Sales Fall Again in August

Retail sales in South Korea rose by 3.6% month-over-month in September 2026, rebounding from a 1.8% decline in the previous month. This marked the strongest growth in retail activity since October last year, largely driven by higher sales of durable goods, such as food and beverages and passenger cars. On a year-on-year basis, retail trade dropped by 0.4% in September, slipping further from a downwardly revised 0.1% fall in the preceding period. As a key gauge of private consumption, the latest figures suggest that the recovery in monthly sales has yet to translate into stronger annual consumption growth. The continued year-on-year decline points to lingering weakness in household spending, although the sharp monthly rebound indicates an improvement in retail activity toward the end of the third quarter.

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.

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.