Shopping growth slowed in December

JOHANNESBURG – Shopping activity in December was disappointing after a strong black November.

Retail sales grew 2.6 percent in December compared with the same month a year before.

But that was the slowest growth in retail activity since August.

And it followed a rise of 3.7 percent in November.

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Sales of household furniture, appliances and equipment picked up.

But spending on food, beverages and tobacco declined significantly.

For the whole of 2025, retail trade sales grew 3.7 percent compared with 2024.

Consumers have benefited from lower fuel costs, lower interest rates affecting loan repayments, and inflation being kept in check.

But economists say not all households are feeling the benefits.