2026.04.2211:24:36UTC+00South Africa Retail Trade Slows, Misses Forecasts

Retail sales in South Africa increased by 1.6% year-on-year in February 2026, following an upwardly revised 4.4% rise in January and falling short of market expectations for a 4.8% gain. This was the slowest pace of retail growth since September 2024, reflecting a marked deceleration in sales of textiles, clothing, footwear, and leather goods (3.9% vs. 9.7% in January). On a seasonally adjusted month-on-month basis, retail trade declined by 1.0%, after a 0.9% increase in the previous month. Over the three months to February 2026, retail trade sales were up 2.8% compared with the same period ending February 2025.