South Africa’s retail sector lost momentum in February 2026, with year-over-year sales growth easing to 1.6%, down markedly from 4.4% in January. The latest data, updated on 22 April 2026, highlights a clear deceleration in consumer spending after a strong start to the year.
Both the current and previous readings compare monthly performance to the same month a year earlier, underscoring how rapidly the pace of growth has slowed. While retail sales remain in positive territory, the sharp drop from January to February suggests a more cautious consumer environment may be emerging, with potential implications for overall economic activity if the trend persists.
