Stats SA recently published an update on the influence of Black Friday on November retail trade sales.1 The event has become synonymous with e-commerce. According to data quoted by BusinessDay, there was a sharp rise in online Black Friday purchases in 2025.2,3 While Stats SA does not publish data specifically on the influence of e-commerce   read more »

Black Friday deals were aplenty in November. Recent retail trade sales data show how consumers allocated their spending between November and December, and how this split has shifted over time. The impact of Black Friday was previously covered using data for 2019, 20211 and 2024.2 Retail trade sales figures published last month provide an update   read more »

Annual consumer price inflation eased to 3,5% in November from 3,6% in October. The monthly change in the consumer price index (CPI) was -0,1%. Annual inflation cooled in five of the 13 product categories, most notably transport; recreation, sport & culture; and information & communication. Four categories registered no change. Food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB),   read more »

A healthy agricultural industry is vital to economic development, employment and food security. Stats SA’s latest annual Agricultural Survey (2024) provides insight into the products that sustain the industry, and the impact of small, medium and micro farmers. Horticulture: The most significant income generator In November, the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa reported a   read more »

Annual consumer inflation rose to 3,6% in October from 3,4% in September. This is the highest inflation print since September 2024 when the rate was 3,8%. The consumer price index (CPI) increased by 0,1% month-on-month in October 2025. The transport; recreation, sport & culture; and alcoholic beverages & tobacco categories recorded hotter annual rates. Inflation cooled for   read more »

Annual consumer inflation rose slightly to 3,4% in September from 3,3% in August. The monthly change in the consumer price index (CPI) was 0,2%. Annual inflation accelerated across several product categories, most notably transport and restaurants & accommodation. In contrast, food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB); alcoholic beverages & tobacco; and furnishings, household equipment & routine   read more »

Annual consumer price inflation pulled back in August, easing to 3,3% from 3,5% in July. Softer food and fuel inflation took some of the heat off the headline rate. The monthly change was also lower. The consumer price index (CPI) decreased by 0,1% between July and August, with four of thirteen categories in the inflation   read more »

Headline consumer inflation increased to 3,5% in July from 3,0% in June. This is the highest rate since September 2024, when it was 3,8%. Prices increased on average by 0,9% between June and July. Household food budgets under pressure Annual inflation for food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) continued to rise, accelerating to 5,7% from 5,1% in   read more »

South Africa’s commercial agricultural industry is notable for its wide variety of crops, horticultural products and livestock. A recent release breaks it all down, providing data on the industry’s most popular products. The Agricultural industry, 2023 statistical report summarises data from thousands of farms across the country, revealing interesting nuggets of information. Maize and sugarcane   read more »

After holding steady at 2,8% in April and May, consumer inflation edged higher to 3,0% in June. The month-on-month change in the consumer price index (CPI) was 0,3%. Food inflation accelerates further The annual rate for food & non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) reached a 15-month high of 5,1% in June. Meat – particularly beef – continues   read more »