According to the national statistics agency, Stats SA, the positive performance was mainly driven by retailers of textiles, clothing, footwear, and leather goods, which reported a 5.8 percent increase and contributed one percentage point to the overall result.

Meanwhile, furniture, appliance, and home goods stores advanced 13 percent, adding half a percentage point. Hardware stores, paint shops, and glass shops also saw a 5.8 percent increase.

In seasonally adjusted terms, retail sales rose 0.9 percent in October compared to September, following decreases of 0.1 percent in September and 1.6 percent in August.

The trend reflects a gradual recovery after two consecutive declines.

The quarterly analysis also showed that sales grew 2.7 percent in the period ending October 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

Among the most dynamic sectors were, once again, “other retailers,” with a 5.8 percent increase and a contribution of 0.6 percentage points; textiles, clothing, footwear, and leather goods, with 3.8 percent growth and a similar contribution; hardware stores, paints, and glass, with 6 percent growth and a contribution of 0.5 percentage points; and general retail, which advanced 1.1 percent and added half a percentage point.

The only segment that declined, according to Stats SA, was food, beverages, and tobacco in specialty stores, with a decrease of 1.9 percent and a negative impact of 0.2 percentage points.

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