South Korea’s retail sector showed signs of recovery in December 2025, with sales rising 0.9% month-over-month, according to data updated on 29 January 2026. The uptick follows a steep 3.3% decline in November 2025, highlighting a partial rebound in consumer spending at year-end.
The figures are based on month-over-month comparisons, with the December reading measuring the change versus November, while the previous indicator captured November’s drop compared with October. The swing from a 3.3% contraction to 0.9% growth suggests that consumption momentum stabilized into the close of 2025, after a weak start to the fourth quarter.
While December’s gain does not fully offset November’s fall, the return to positive territory may signal improving confidence among South Korean consumers. Market participants are likely to watch upcoming releases closely to gauge whether this December recovery marks the beginning of a more sustained pickup in domestic demand.
