Economic information that works for you SurveysRetailManufacturingBuilding & ConstructionInflation Expectations BER Retail Survey (Archive) A brisk quarterly report on the results, as well as implications, of the latest BER survey in the trade sectors. Released in advance of official indicators of activity, it provides reliable and up-to-date information on current trends and a valuable perspective on the outlook for the sector.The BER’s Trade Survey covers the retail, wholesale and motor trade sectors. Apart from business confidence, the survey data highlights current trends in business conditions, sales volumes and selling prices.A distinction is drawn between retailers in the durable, semi-durable and non-durable goods sectors. We distinguish between wholesalers in the consumer and non-consumer goods market. Motor trade results are separated between new and used vehicles.Regional perspectives are provided for three main provinces (Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng).Click here for information on the survey method. 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 Retail Survey (Executive Summary), 2019Q3 Last updated: Sep 20 2019 7:32AM After recovering marginally in 2019Q2, business confidence among retailers fell to the weakest level since 1992 in Q3. Trading conditions remain extremely challenging as numerous headwinds continue to weigh on overall consumer spending. This suggests that a read moreAfter recovering marginally in 2019Q2, business confidence among retailers fell to the weakest level since 1992 in Q3. Trading conditions remain extremely challenging as numerous headwinds continue to weigh on overall consumer spending. This suggests that a meaningful and sustained acceleration in overall consumer spending over coming quarters is unlikely. Retail Survey, 2019Q3 (Download sample) Last updated: Sep 20 2019 7:31AM After recovering marginally in 2019Q2, business confidence among retailers fell to the weakest level since 1992 in Q3. Trading conditions remain extremely challenging as numerous headwinds continue to weigh on overall consumer spending. This suggests that a read moreAfter recovering marginally in 2019Q2, business confidence among retailers fell to the weakest level since 1992 in Q3. Trading conditions remain extremely challenging as numerous headwinds continue to weigh on overall consumer spending. This suggests that a meaningful and sustained acceleration in overall consumer spending over coming quarters is unlikely. Retail Survey (Executive Summary), 2019Q2 Last updated: Jun 20 2019 11:50AM After dipping in 2019Q1, business confidence among retailers improved marginally during the second quarter. However, the latest survey results point to tough trading conditions in the retail sector. Subdued consumer confidence, weak income growth and the read moreAfter dipping in 2019Q1, business confidence among retailers improved marginally during the second quarter. However, the latest survey results point to tough trading conditions in the retail sector. Subdued consumer confidence, weak income growth and the pervasive weakness in the general economy suggest that overall retail sales volume growth likely remained constrained in the second quarter. Retail Survey, 2019Q2 (Download sample) Last updated: Jun 20 2019 11:49AM After dipping in 2019Q1, business confidence among retailers improved marginally during the second quarter. However, the latest survey results point to tough trading conditions in the retail sector. Subdued consumer confidence, weak income growth and the read moreAfter dipping in 2019Q1, business confidence among retailers improved marginally during the second quarter. However, the latest survey results point to tough trading conditions in the retail sector. Subdued consumer confidence, weak income growth and the pervasive weakness in the general economy suggest that overall retail sales volume growth likely remained constrained in the second quarter. Retail Survey (Executive Summary), 2019Q1 Last updated: Mar 22 2019 9:14AM According to the 2019Q1 BER Retail Survey, business confidence among retailers fell back after recovering somewhat in 2018Q4. Current activity levels remain subdued, while survey participants have downgraded their outlook after the actual performance of the read moreAccording to the 2019Q1 BER Retail Survey, business confidence among retailers fell back after recovering somewhat in 2018Q4. Current activity levels remain subdued, while survey participants have downgraded their outlook after the actual performance of the sector missed earlier expectations. Retail Survey, 2019Q1 (Download sample) Last updated: Mar 22 2019 9:13AM According to the 2019Q1 BER Retail Survey, business confidence among retailers fell back after recovering somewhat in 2018Q4. Current activity levels remain subdued, while survey participants have downgraded their outlook after the actual performance of the read moreAccording to the 2019Q1 BER Retail Survey, business confidence among retailers fell back after recovering somewhat in 2018Q4. Current activity levels remain subdued, while survey participants have downgraded their outlook after the actual performance of the sector missed earlier expectations.
BER Retail Survey (Archive) A brisk quarterly report on the results, as well as implications, of the latest BER survey in the trade sectors. Released in advance of official indicators of activity, it provides reliable and up-to-date information on current trends and a valuable perspective on the outlook for the sector.The BER’s Trade Survey covers the retail, wholesale and motor trade sectors. Apart from business confidence, the survey data highlights current trends in business conditions, sales volumes and selling prices.A distinction is drawn between retailers in the durable, semi-durable and non-durable goods sectors. We distinguish between wholesalers in the consumer and non-consumer goods market. Motor trade results are separated between new and used vehicles.Regional perspectives are provided for three main provinces (Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng).Click here for information on the survey method. 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 Retail Survey (Executive Summary), 2019Q3 Last updated: Sep 20 2019 7:32AM After recovering marginally in 2019Q2, business confidence among retailers fell to the weakest level since 1992 in Q3. Trading conditions remain extremely challenging as numerous headwinds continue to weigh on overall consumer spending. This suggests that a read moreAfter recovering marginally in 2019Q2, business confidence among retailers fell to the weakest level since 1992 in Q3. Trading conditions remain extremely challenging as numerous headwinds continue to weigh on overall consumer spending. This suggests that a meaningful and sustained acceleration in overall consumer spending over coming quarters is unlikely. Retail Survey, 2019Q3 (Download sample) Last updated: Sep 20 2019 7:31AM After recovering marginally in 2019Q2, business confidence among retailers fell to the weakest level since 1992 in Q3. Trading conditions remain extremely challenging as numerous headwinds continue to weigh on overall consumer spending. This suggests that a read moreAfter recovering marginally in 2019Q2, business confidence among retailers fell to the weakest level since 1992 in Q3. Trading conditions remain extremely challenging as numerous headwinds continue to weigh on overall consumer spending. This suggests that a meaningful and sustained acceleration in overall consumer spending over coming quarters is unlikely. Retail Survey (Executive Summary), 2019Q2 Last updated: Jun 20 2019 11:50AM After dipping in 2019Q1, business confidence among retailers improved marginally during the second quarter. However, the latest survey results point to tough trading conditions in the retail sector. Subdued consumer confidence, weak income growth and the read moreAfter dipping in 2019Q1, business confidence among retailers improved marginally during the second quarter. However, the latest survey results point to tough trading conditions in the retail sector. Subdued consumer confidence, weak income growth and the pervasive weakness in the general economy suggest that overall retail sales volume growth likely remained constrained in the second quarter. Retail Survey, 2019Q2 (Download sample) Last updated: Jun 20 2019 11:49AM After dipping in 2019Q1, business confidence among retailers improved marginally during the second quarter. However, the latest survey results point to tough trading conditions in the retail sector. Subdued consumer confidence, weak income growth and the read moreAfter dipping in 2019Q1, business confidence among retailers improved marginally during the second quarter. However, the latest survey results point to tough trading conditions in the retail sector. Subdued consumer confidence, weak income growth and the pervasive weakness in the general economy suggest that overall retail sales volume growth likely remained constrained in the second quarter. Retail Survey (Executive Summary), 2019Q1 Last updated: Mar 22 2019 9:14AM According to the 2019Q1 BER Retail Survey, business confidence among retailers fell back after recovering somewhat in 2018Q4. Current activity levels remain subdued, while survey participants have downgraded their outlook after the actual performance of the read moreAccording to the 2019Q1 BER Retail Survey, business confidence among retailers fell back after recovering somewhat in 2018Q4. Current activity levels remain subdued, while survey participants have downgraded their outlook after the actual performance of the sector missed earlier expectations. Retail Survey, 2019Q1 (Download sample) Last updated: Mar 22 2019 9:13AM According to the 2019Q1 BER Retail Survey, business confidence among retailers fell back after recovering somewhat in 2018Q4. Current activity levels remain subdued, while survey participants have downgraded their outlook after the actual performance of the read moreAccording to the 2019Q1 BER Retail Survey, business confidence among retailers fell back after recovering somewhat in 2018Q4. Current activity levels remain subdued, while survey participants have downgraded their outlook after the actual performance of the sector missed earlier expectations.