Retail sales impress in Q4 2024, but growth is set to slow

Loading player...
South African retail sales reflected a phenomenal last quarter of 2024 as consumer spending was boosted by two pot pension withdrawals. Sales in the last quarter increased by 5.4% year-on-year in real terms, indicating spending as if there was a 5% to 6% increase in the economy. These sales numbers will help to boost the economy in 2024, but this still leaves the 2024 GDP outcome at this stage at less than 1% growth. It is likely that retail sales growth will slow appreciably off a high base.
US President Donald Trump signed an array of executive orders aimed at deregulation and freeing up the US economy to perform better. But recently the focus has shifted to imposing tariffs on a wide range of countries, raising concerns of an increase in prices.

Click here to listen to the podcast.
24 Feb 2025 English South Africa Investing · Business News

Other recent episodes

Why process matters when markets test your patience

Markets are constantly evolving, testing investor conviction through volatility, changing sentiment and short-term uncertainty. In these moments, a disciplined and systematic investment approach can help investors remain objective and focused on their long-term goals. In this episode, Rademeyer Vermaak, Head of Systematic Solutions at STANLIB Asset Management, talks to Jeremy…
25 Jun 22 min

New US Fed chair shakes up monetary policy

In this podcast, STANLIB’s chief economist, Kevin Lings, discusses South Africa’s May inflation rate, which increased by 4.5% year-on-year, mainly due to the fuel price. He notes, however, that there are few signs of secondary inflation effects in key categories. Kevin also unpacks some of the important changes to US…
22 Jun 16 min

New US Fed chair shakes up monetary policy

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, discusses the 4.5% y/y increase in SA’s May inflation rate, mainly due to the fuel price. However, he notes few signs of secondary effects in key categories. He also unpacks some of the important changes to US monetary policy, including its communication…
22 Jun 16 min

SA GDP growth surprises a little on the upside, but needs much more impetus

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, discusses SA’s GDP numbers for Q1, which surprised a little to the upside, and expectations of what economic growth could look like for the rest of the year. He looks at sectoral contributions and notes that manufacturing remains a weak spot in…
15 Jun 11 min

US labour market strengthens, Fitch rerates SA credit

In this podcast, STANLIB’s Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, discusses US labour market data, where the US created 172 000 jobs in May, way more jobs than anticipated, with the previous two months also revised higher. He also looks at Fitch’s decision to upgrade SA’s credit rating one notch to BB,…
8 Jun 11 min