SA Retail Confidence PLUMMETS! What's Happening to Your Wallet?
South African Retail Confidence Takes a Dive
Business confidence amongst retailers and wholesalers in South Africa has experienced a significant decline in the third quarter of 2025, according to the latest survey from the Bureau for Economic Research (BER). This suggests a potential slowdown in consumer demand following a period of consistent growth.
The BER's findings indicate a drop in retail confidence to 32% in Q3, a considerable decrease from the 42% recorded in the second quarter. This also marks the first time in a year that retail confidence has fallen below the long-term average of 40%.
While the overall profitability in the sector remained relatively stable, the dip in confidence raises concerns about the sustainability of current activity levels. New vehicle dealers and furniture retailers are reportedly doing well, but the confidence drop across other areas paints a gloomy overall picture.
Economists are closely monitoring these trends to understand the underlying factors contributing to this decline. Potential causes could include rising inflation, interest rate hikes, and broader economic uncertainty. The impact on job creation and overall economic growth remains to be seen.
Stay tuned to NewsRPT for further updates and analysis on this developing story.