Indonesia’s retail sales grew 0.6% year-on-year in September 2026, down from 1.3% in August and marking the slowest pace since June, as persistent price pressures and higher borrowing costs weighed on consumer demand. Even so, sales rose for a third straight month.
Growth in food, beverages, and tobacco softened (1.3% vs 2.6% in August), while contractions deepened or persisted in several categories, including fuel (-8.6% vs -5.7%), information and communication equipment (-10.8% vs -10.9%), recreational goods (-3.8% vs -0.3%), and household equipment (-6.0% vs -5.2%).
By contrast, automotive parts sales strengthened (5.3% vs 3.9%), and clothing sales returned to growth (2.7% vs -12.4% in August).
On a monthly basis, retail sales fell 3.1%, reversing August’s 0.8% gain and registering the sharpest decline since April. Looking ahead, retail activity is projected to firm modestly in October, supported by ongoing government stimulus measures.
