SA retail sales slump in December

Seasonally adjusted retail trade sales decreased by 4,8% in December 2018 compared with November 2018. This followed month-on-month changes of 2,8% in November 2018 and 0,8% in October 2018. In the fourth quarter of 2018, seasonally adjusted retail trade sales increased by 0,8% compared with the previous quarter.

The largest negative contributions were recorded for retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (-2,7% and contributing -0,6 of a percentage point); and general dealers (-1,0% and contributing -0,4 of a percentage point).

Sales were up 1% in the three months to the end of December compared with the same period last year, Statistics South Africa said. The main contributors to this increase were: all 'other' retailers (3,3% and contributing 0,4 of a percentage point); and retailers in household furniture, appliances and equipment (8,0% and contributing 0,4 of a percentage point).