FX.co ★ South Africa Retail Sales Growth Quickens in September

In September 2025, South Africa experienced a 3.1% increase in retail trade on a year-on-year basis, reflecting an acceleration from a revised 2.2% growth in August. This rise was largely anticipated by analysts, who projected a 3% increase. Significant contributors to this growth included general dealers, who saw a 1.9% rise contributing 0.9 percentage points to the overall increase. Retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear, and leather goods experienced a 4.4% surge, contributing 0.7 percentage points, while household furniture, appliances, and equipment retailers enjoyed an 11.4% increase, adding 0.5 percentage points. However, on a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, retail trade remained unchanged in September following a revised 1.6% drop in the previous month. Furthermore, retail trade sales in the third quarter of 2025 rose by 3.6% when compared to the same period in 2024.