SA Retail Sales Volume Rise, Eskom Says it will keep rotational power cuts suspended
Stats SA yesterday reported that retail sales volumes rose 0.4% m/m sa in April after falling by a revised 0.6% in March (previously: -0.7%). Despite the sharp escalation in load shedding in April, the monthly rise in sales volumes was broad-based across retailer types, suggesting that businesses are increasingly finding ways to mitigate power-related disruptions.
SA Retail Sales Volume Rise, Eskom Says it will keep rotational power cuts suspended
Stats SA yesterday reported that retail sales volumes rose 0.4% m/m sa in April after falling by a revised 0.6% in March (previously: -0.7%). Despite the sharp escalation in load shedding in April, the monthly rise in sales volumes was broad-based across retailer types, suggesting that businesses are increasingly finding ways to mitigate power-related disruptions. That said, retail sales volumes were down 1.6% y/y in April (March: -1.5%), partly reflecting some base effects.
Looking ahead, weak job growth, muted real wage gains, higher debt service costs and low consumer sentiment are likely to keep consumer spending growth subdued.
Stats SA is due to publish the wholesale and motor trade sales data for April today and these are also worth watching for further insights on the performance of the domestic trade sector.
