Retail sales · South Africa
South Africa Retail Sales YoY
The South Africa Retail Sales YoY measures the value or volume of goods sold by shops and online retailers in South Africa.
- Importance
- Medium
- Released
- Monthly
- Next release
- Currency
- ZAR · South African rand
- Central bank
- The South African Reserve Bank
Latest figures
The latest release for AUG, published on 21 October 2026, came in at 3.3%, above the consensus of 3%, down from 3.4% the time before.
A stronger figure than expected points to a healthier economy: it usually supports the South African rand and local stocks, and can push bond yields up.
Over the last 12 releases it ranged from 1.3% to 4.2%, averaging 2.7%.
| Released | For | Actual | Consensus | Previous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Oct 2026 | AUG | 3.3% | 3% | 3.4% |
| 16 Sep 2026 | JUL | 3.4% | 0.9% | 1.1% ® |
| 19 Aug 2026 | JUN | 1.6% | 2.3% | 2.2% ® |
| 17 Jun 2026 | APR | 1.3% | – | 2.5% ® |
| 20 May 2026 | MAR | 2.6% | 2.5% | 1.6% |
| 22 Apr 2026 | FEB | 1.6% | 4.8% | 4.4% ® |
| 18 Mar 2026 | JAN | 4.2% | 2.5% | 2.5% ® |
| 18 Feb 2026 | DEC | 2.6% | – | 3.6% ® |
| 21 Jan 2026 | NOV | 3.5% | 2.5% | 3% ® |
| 10 Dec 2025 | OCT | 2.9% | 2.3% | 3% ® |
| 19 Nov 2025 | SEP | 3.1% | 3% | 2.2% ® |
| 15 Oct 2025 | AUG | 2.3% | – | 5.7% ® |
Why it matters
Retail sales are the most timely measure of household spending, the largest part of the economy. Strong sales support growth and the South African rand; weak sales raise recession worries. In the US the "control group" (without autos, petrol, building materials and food services) feeds directly into GDP.
How it is calculated
Statistics South Africa surveys retailers on their monthly sales; value figures include price changes, volume figures remove them. Seasonal adjustment removes holiday patterns.
Change (mom) = sales this month ÷ sales last month − 1What changes mean
- Compare value and volume: rising value with falling volume is inflation, not stronger demand.
- Ex-autos and ex-fuel versions remove the most volatile parts.
- Revisions to the previous month can change the picture.
Higher than expected: A stronger figure than expected points to a healthier economy: it usually supports the South African rand and local stocks, and can push bond yields up.
Lower than expected: A weaker figure than expected points to slowing activity: the South African rand tends to soften and markets price in lower rates.
A short history
The US Census Bureau has published monthly retail sales since the 1950s; most countries followed in the post-war decades.
Questions
What is the South Africa Retail Sales YoY?
The South Africa Retail Sales YoY measures the value or volume of goods sold by shops and online retailers in South Africa.
What was the latest South Africa Retail Sales YoY?
3.3% for AUG, published on 21 October 2026 (consensus 3%, previous 3.4%).
When is the next South Africa Retail Sales YoY?
On Wednesday 18 November 2026 at 11:00 UTC.
Educational content only, not investment advice. Figures are the published results as recorded by our calendar; market reactions described are typical, not guaranteed.