NIQ State of Retail: Signs of recovery in some sectors, but consumer spending remains cautious

NielsenIQ’s State of the Retail Nation report for the first half of 2025 reveals a mixed retail landscape in South Africa. While consumer spending in the FMCG sector reached R324.4 billion—reflecting a 7.4% year-over-year growth—there are signs of cautious spending, driven by high food prices and unemployment. Traditional trade outlets are surging in popularity, outpacing modern trade growth. Notably, private label sales slowed, while independent brands bounced back. The Tech & Durables (T&D) market remained sluggish, particularly in the smartphone segment, with a decline in sales value and units. However, growth was seen in small appliances and IT hardware. As consumers focus on value-driven purchases, brands must target promotions and adapt to the changing spending priorities of South African households.

New index categorically shows Black Friday is the single-biggest retail bonanza of the holiday period

This article highlights the findings of South Africa’s first formal Black Friday Index, showcasing that Black Friday to Cyber Monday remains the most lucrative retail period of the year. The index, based on data from Ecentric Payment Solutions and World Wide Worx, reveals substantial transaction and revenue growth, with online and in-store retail seeing significant surges. Key insights emphasize the continued dominance of e-commerce, the resurgence of in-store shopping, and the necessity for omnichannel integration and data-driven strategies for future success in the retail sector.