Retail sales in South Korea fell 2.4% month-over-month in July 2026, reversing a 2.7% gain in June. The decline was largely driven by weaker demand for durable goods, particularly passenger cars and home appliances. On a year-on-year basis, retail sales slipped 0.8% in July, following a downwardly revised 3.9% increase in the previous period. As a key indicator of private consumption, the latest data indicate that household spending lost momentum at the start of the third quarter, signaling softer domestic demand that may weigh on overall economic growth.