2018 records the highest retail sales growth for the month of April in six years, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse
Johannesburg, South Africa, 13 June 2018 – Total South African retail sales for April 2018 grew by 3.7 percent year-on-year after removing the effects of inflation, showing the highest growth rate seen in April in the past six years. This is according to the Mastercard SpendingPulse April 2018 report, which provides a macroeconomic analysis of retail spending trends in South Africa.
The health of retail performance for April 2018 follows a strong first quarter for the South African retail market. Total retail sales including the impact of inflation climbed 6.4 percent year-on-year. Inflation contributed just 2.7 percentage points to retail sales – the lowest inflation contribution since SpendingPulse measurement began, which demonstrates real economic growth.
The average growth rate in the past three months was 3.7%, which is higher than the 3.3% year-on-year growth from the fourth quarter in 2017.
Sarah Quinlan, Senior Vice President of Market Insights at Mastercard, comments: “While optimism was very high last quarter, the South African consumer is currently in a wait-and-see mode, and has compartmentalised their spending with certain sectors like pharmaceuticals, medical goods, cosmetics and toiletries seeing an uptick in spend, with others like general dealers declining versus a year ago. Though there has been a moderation of inflationary pressures in many economic sectors, other factors like high unemployment and low wage growth continue to restrain spending.”
Quinlan added: “In the coming days, we will keep an eye on many factors such as the uptick in oil prices, the weakening of private sector credit, impact of the recent VAT hike and the strengthening ZAR. If those start to ease we would expect a rise in retail sales in the future.”
Key findings of the Mastercard SpendingPulse South Africa April 2018 report include:
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About Mastercard SpendingPulse
Mastercard SpendingPulse reports on national retail sales and is based on aggregate sales activity in the Mastercard payments network, coupled with survey-based estimates for certain other payment forms, such as cash and cheque. SpendingPulse reports and content, including estimated forecasts of spending trends do not in any way contain, reflect or relate to actual Mastercard operational or financial performance, or specific payment-card-issuer data. SpendingPulse is provided by Mastercard Advisors, the professional services arm of Mastercard.
About Mastercard Advisors
Mastercard Advisors, the professional services arm of Mastercard, provides clients around the world with insights and solutions that drive business impact and ROI. The company uses advanced analyses and deep expertise in the payment field to translate data into market behavior and customized services. With over 80 billion transactions processed annually in 210 countries worldwide, Mastercard Advisors uses aggregated information and a consultative approach to help financial institutions, merchants, media companies, government and organizations of different sizes to boost their businesses. For more information, access www.Mastercardadvisors.com.
About Mastercard
Mastercard, www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry. We operate the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. Mastercard products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter: @MastercardMEA and @MastercardNews, join the discussion on the Beyond the Transaction Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the MEA Engagement Bureau.
Mastercard Communications Contact
Kershnee Govender, +2783 564 4090, Kershnee.Govender@mastercard.com
Johannesburg, South Africa, 13 June 2018 – Total South African retail sales for April 2018 grew by 3.7 percent year-on-year after removing the effects of inflation, showing the highest growth rate seen in April in the past six years. This is according to the Mastercard SpendingPulse April 2018 report, which provides a macroeconomic analysis of retail spending trends in South Africa.
The health of retail performance for April 2018 follows a strong first quarter for the South African retail market. Total retail sales including the impact of inflation climbed 6.4 percent year-on-year. Inflation contributed just 2.7 percentage points to retail sales – the lowest inflation contribution since SpendingPulse measurement began, which demonstrates real economic growth.
The average growth rate in the past three months was 3.7%, which is higher than the 3.3% year-on-year growth from the fourth quarter in 2017.
Sarah Quinlan, Senior Vice President of Market Insights at Mastercard, comments: “While optimism was very high last quarter, the South African consumer is currently in a wait-and-see mode, and has compartmentalised their spending with certain sectors like pharmaceuticals, medical goods, cosmetics and toiletries seeing an uptick in spend, with others like general dealers declining versus a year ago. Though there has been a moderation of inflationary pressures in many economic sectors, other factors like high unemployment and low wage growth continue to restrain spending.”
Quinlan added: “In the coming days, we will keep an eye on many factors such as the uptick in oil prices, the weakening of private sector credit, impact of the recent VAT hike and the strengthening ZAR. If those start to ease we would expect a rise in retail sales in the future.”
Key findings of the Mastercard SpendingPulse South Africa April 2018 report include:
- Pharmaceutical, medical goods, cosmetics and toiletry sales excluding the effects of inflation increased by 5.7 percent year-on-year in April, while sales including the effects of inflation were up 9.1 percent. Higher prices contributed 3.4 percentage points sales growth in the sector.
- General dealer sales volume (excluding the effects of inflation) experienced their first decline in sales in a little over a year. Sales volumes excluding inflation declined 2.7 percent year-on-year, and sales including inflation increased 4.3 percent. Sales were helped by a decline in food-inflation, but economic factors like high unemployment and lack of growth in wages hit this sector harder than others.
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About Mastercard SpendingPulse
Mastercard SpendingPulse reports on national retail sales and is based on aggregate sales activity in the Mastercard payments network, coupled with survey-based estimates for certain other payment forms, such as cash and cheque. SpendingPulse reports and content, including estimated forecasts of spending trends do not in any way contain, reflect or relate to actual Mastercard operational or financial performance, or specific payment-card-issuer data. SpendingPulse is provided by Mastercard Advisors, the professional services arm of Mastercard.
About Mastercard Advisors
Mastercard Advisors, the professional services arm of Mastercard, provides clients around the world with insights and solutions that drive business impact and ROI. The company uses advanced analyses and deep expertise in the payment field to translate data into market behavior and customized services. With over 80 billion transactions processed annually in 210 countries worldwide, Mastercard Advisors uses aggregated information and a consultative approach to help financial institutions, merchants, media companies, government and organizations of different sizes to boost their businesses. For more information, access www.Mastercardadvisors.com.
About Mastercard
Mastercard, www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry. We operate the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. Mastercard products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter: @MastercardMEA and @MastercardNews, join the discussion on the Beyond the Transaction Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the MEA Engagement Bureau.
Mastercard Communications Contact
Kershnee Govender, +2783 564 4090, Kershnee.Govender@mastercard.com
