FX.co ★ South Africa Retail Sales Growth Slows in June

In June 2025, South Africa experienced a 1.6% year-on-year increase in retail sales, down from the 4.3% growth observed in May. The growth rate for textiles, clothing, footwear, and leather goods eased to 4.6% compared to May's 12.6%, and other retailers saw a moderation with a 2.3% increase, down from 3%. Conversely, there were declines in sales for food, beverages, and tobacco, which fell by 4.5% compared to a 2.4% decline previously, and general dealers saw a modest downturn of 0.2%, down from a 3.4% boost. However, segments such as household furniture, appliances and equipment, pharmaceuticals and medical goods, cosmetics and toiletries, and hardware, paint and glass experienced faster growth. Household furniture rose by 6.9%, slightly up from 6.8%; pharmaceuticals and medical goods, as well as cosmetics and toiletries, increased by 4.2%, up from 1.7%; and hardware, paint and glass sales grew by 5.4%, improving from 1.8%. On a monthly scale, retail sales remained unchanged following a 0.2% rise in the previous month. Over the second quarter of 2025, retail trade sales advanced by 3.7% when compared to the same quarter in 2024.