Economic information that works for you SurveysRetailManufacturingBuilding & ConstructionOther ServicesInflation 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. 2020 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), 2020Q3 Last updated: Sep 21 2020 8:21AM The COVID-19 lockdown restrictions narrative continued to find expression in the third quarter of 2020. While retail, wholesale and motor dealer confidence edged up in Q3, trading conditions remain tough for the sector given weak sales volumes and a bleak read moreThe COVID-19 lockdown restrictions narrative continued to find expression in the third quarter of 2020. While retail, wholesale and motor dealer confidence edged up in Q3, trading conditions remain tough for the sector given weak sales volumes and a bleak macroeconomic environment. The Trade Survey report 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. Retail Survey, 2020Q3 (Download sample) Last updated: Sep 21 2020 8:20AM The COVID-19 lockdown restrictions narrative continued to find expression in the third quarter of 2020. While retail, wholesale and motor dealer confidence edged up in Q3, trading conditions remain tough for the sector given weak sales volumes and a bleak read moreThe COVID-19 lockdown restrictions narrative continued to find expression in the third quarter of 2020. While retail, wholesale and motor dealer confidence edged up in Q3, trading conditions remain tough for the sector given weak sales volumes and a bleak macroeconomic environment. The Trade Survey report 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. Retail Survey (Executive Summary), 2020Q2 Last updated: Jun 23 2020 8:15AM The economic shutdown to contain COVID-19 dominated the second quarter of 2020. Only retailers and wholesalers of non-durable goods could trade on condition that they adhered to strict hygiene measures. Non-durable goods retail barely got by, but semi-durable read moreThe economic shutdown to contain COVID-19 dominated the second quarter of 2020. Only retailers and wholesalers of non-durable goods could trade on condition that they adhered to strict hygiene measures. Non-durable goods retail barely got by, but semi-durable and durable goods fell off the cliff. The sales volumes of wholesale sales contracted at record-high rates. Motor trade came to a complete halt. Retail Survey, 2020Q2 (Download sample) Last updated: Jun 23 2020 8:14AM The economic shutdown to contain COVID-19 dominated the second quarter of 2020. Only retailers and wholesalers of non-durable goods could trade on condition that they adhered to strict hygiene measures. Non-durable goods retail barely got by, but semi-durable read moreThe economic shutdown to contain COVID-19 dominated the second quarter of 2020. Only retailers and wholesalers of non-durable goods could trade on condition that they adhered to strict hygiene measures. Non-durable goods retail barely got by, but semi-durable and durable goods fell off the cliff. The sales volumes of wholesale sales contracted at record-high rates. Motor trade came to a complete halt. Retail Survey (Executive Summary), 2020Q1 Last updated: Mar 16 2020 10:56AM According to the 2020Q1 BER Retail Survey, retailers’ performance worsened further. The volume of retail sales weakened once more in 20Q1. The dismal volume growth could be attributed to households’ dire financial situation. Wholesalers continued to take read moreAccording to the 2020Q1 BER Retail Survey, retailers’ performance worsened further. The volume of retail sales weakened once more in 20Q1. The dismal volume growth could be attributed to households’ dire financial situation. Wholesalers continued to take strain in 20Q1. Difficult times persisted in the motor trade. Retail Survey, 2020Q1 (Download sample) Last updated: Mar 16 2020 10:55AM According to the 2020Q1 BER Retail Survey, retailers’ performance worsened further. The volume of retail sales weakened once more in 20Q1. The dismal volume growth could be attributed to households’ dire financial situation. Wholesalers continued to take read moreAccording to the 2020Q1 BER Retail Survey, retailers’ performance worsened further. The volume of retail sales weakened once more in 20Q1. The dismal volume growth could be attributed to households’ dire financial situation. Wholesalers continued to take strain in 20Q1. Difficult times persisted in the motor trade.
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. 2020 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), 2020Q3 Last updated: Sep 21 2020 8:21AM The COVID-19 lockdown restrictions narrative continued to find expression in the third quarter of 2020. While retail, wholesale and motor dealer confidence edged up in Q3, trading conditions remain tough for the sector given weak sales volumes and a bleak read moreThe COVID-19 lockdown restrictions narrative continued to find expression in the third quarter of 2020. While retail, wholesale and motor dealer confidence edged up in Q3, trading conditions remain tough for the sector given weak sales volumes and a bleak macroeconomic environment. The Trade Survey report 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. Retail Survey, 2020Q3 (Download sample) Last updated: Sep 21 2020 8:20AM The COVID-19 lockdown restrictions narrative continued to find expression in the third quarter of 2020. While retail, wholesale and motor dealer confidence edged up in Q3, trading conditions remain tough for the sector given weak sales volumes and a bleak read moreThe COVID-19 lockdown restrictions narrative continued to find expression in the third quarter of 2020. While retail, wholesale and motor dealer confidence edged up in Q3, trading conditions remain tough for the sector given weak sales volumes and a bleak macroeconomic environment. The Trade Survey report 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. Retail Survey (Executive Summary), 2020Q2 Last updated: Jun 23 2020 8:15AM The economic shutdown to contain COVID-19 dominated the second quarter of 2020. Only retailers and wholesalers of non-durable goods could trade on condition that they adhered to strict hygiene measures. Non-durable goods retail barely got by, but semi-durable read moreThe economic shutdown to contain COVID-19 dominated the second quarter of 2020. Only retailers and wholesalers of non-durable goods could trade on condition that they adhered to strict hygiene measures. Non-durable goods retail barely got by, but semi-durable and durable goods fell off the cliff. The sales volumes of wholesale sales contracted at record-high rates. Motor trade came to a complete halt. Retail Survey, 2020Q2 (Download sample) Last updated: Jun 23 2020 8:14AM The economic shutdown to contain COVID-19 dominated the second quarter of 2020. Only retailers and wholesalers of non-durable goods could trade on condition that they adhered to strict hygiene measures. Non-durable goods retail barely got by, but semi-durable read moreThe economic shutdown to contain COVID-19 dominated the second quarter of 2020. Only retailers and wholesalers of non-durable goods could trade on condition that they adhered to strict hygiene measures. Non-durable goods retail barely got by, but semi-durable and durable goods fell off the cliff. The sales volumes of wholesale sales contracted at record-high rates. Motor trade came to a complete halt. Retail Survey (Executive Summary), 2020Q1 Last updated: Mar 16 2020 10:56AM According to the 2020Q1 BER Retail Survey, retailers’ performance worsened further. The volume of retail sales weakened once more in 20Q1. The dismal volume growth could be attributed to households’ dire financial situation. Wholesalers continued to take read moreAccording to the 2020Q1 BER Retail Survey, retailers’ performance worsened further. The volume of retail sales weakened once more in 20Q1. The dismal volume growth could be attributed to households’ dire financial situation. Wholesalers continued to take strain in 20Q1. Difficult times persisted in the motor trade. Retail Survey, 2020Q1 (Download sample) Last updated: Mar 16 2020 10:55AM According to the 2020Q1 BER Retail Survey, retailers’ performance worsened further. The volume of retail sales weakened once more in 20Q1. The dismal volume growth could be attributed to households’ dire financial situation. Wholesalers continued to take read moreAccording to the 2020Q1 BER Retail Survey, retailers’ performance worsened further. The volume of retail sales weakened once more in 20Q1. The dismal volume growth could be attributed to households’ dire financial situation. Wholesalers continued to take strain in 20Q1. Difficult times persisted in the motor trade.