South African (SA) retail sales rose 3.1% year-on-year in September after rising by a revised 2.2% in August, Statistics SA figures showed this Wednesday.
Seasonally adjusted retail sales were flat at 0.0% month-on-month in September.
The annual growth was driven largely by stronger performances in general dealers, clothing retailers and furniture and appliances outlets, signalling pockets of resilience as consumers prepare for the year‑end buying surge.
Despite the uptick, households remain under pressure from high food prices, rising transport costs and elevated utilities, which continue to weigh on spending.
–Reuters/ChannelAfrica–
