Retail trade sales up in SA

Retail trade sales increased by 3.4% year-on-year in October, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) said earlier this week.



The highest annual growth rates were recorded for retailers in food, beverages and tobacco in specialised stores (6.6%); household furniture, appliances and equipment (4.6%); and hardware, paint and glass (4.3%).



“The main contributors to the 3.4 percent increase were general dealers (contributing 0.8 of a percentage point), retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (0.7 of a percentage point) and retailers in food, beverages and tobacco in specialised stores (0.6 of a percentage point),” Stats SA said in a statement.