Skip to content 
19 November 2020 – SA’s retail sales showed continued recovery in September, the first full month in which South Africans were free to travel to other provinces, smoke, and buy alcohol.
Retail sales rose 1.1% month on month in September, but declined 2.7% year on year, though this is an improvement from a revised 4.1% annual decline seen in August.
September is also the last month of the third quarter, with Stats SA saying on Wednesday that the retail sector made a positive contribution to SA’s economy during the third quarter, rising a seasonally adjusted 23.9% when compared to the second.
The sector has shown a steady recovery from the nearly 50% decline during April under level 5 lockdown restrictions, when only essential items could be purchased.
SA moved to a level 2 lockdown on August 18, allowing alcohol sales and travel, while restrictions were further lifted as the country moved to level 1 on September 20.
FNB economists said the extension of the Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (Ters), and the extension of the government’s special relief grants, would further mitigate the effects of a weak labour market in the month. Source (Business Live)