Which retailers are really driving South Africa's modest sales growth?

South Africa's retail sector grew a steady 1.6% year-on-year in June 2026 in real terms, with the Q2 figure coming in similarly at 1.7%. But the headline masks a striking two-speed story — 'other' retailers surged 7.5% while general dealers managed only 1.8%, yet both contributed an identical 0.8 percentage points each to total growth. Seasonally adjusted sales actually dipped 0.6% from May, therefore suggesting that beneath the positive annual trend, consumer momentum may be softening as mid-year pressures bite.