General
Publications & Data
Join the conversation
Social Links
Social Links
The results of the Inflation Expectation Survey are provided in a quarterly report that is accompanied by an excel file containing the historic survey data.
The Absa Manufacturing Survey is a brisk quarterly report on the results and implications of the latest BER survey of manufacturing firms.
The BER Other Services Survey provides the latest trends and outlook for hotels, restaurants, transport, real estate and business services.
A brisk quarterly report on the results and implications of the latest BER survey in the building and construction industry.
According to the latest BER Retail Survey, business confidence among retailers declined from 43% to 36% in the first quarter of 2026. After a year of solid optimism, supported by strong retail sales and consumer spending, retailer confidence lost momentum in 2026Q1. However, the survey details suggest the retail sector may simply be taking a breather rather than heading for a downturn.
Read MoreRetailers’ business confidence jumped from 32% to 43% during the fourth quarter of 2025, bouncing back above the long-term average to align with levels seen during the first half of the year. This significant recovery in retailers optimism points to solid consumer spending momentum during the fourth quarter.
Read MoreThe latest BER Retail Survey revealed that business confidence among retailers retreated to 32% in 2025Q3, down from 42% in Q2. This 10-point drop brings confidence back below the long-term average (40%) for the first time in a year and puts the latest reading at a similar level to those at the start of 2024.
Read MoreThe BER’s Retail Survey revealed business confidence amongst retailers fell by 8 percentage points (%pts) to 42% in 2025Q2, registering a second successive quarterly decline but remaining above the long-term average. This trend suggests a moderation in retail sales growth, particularly as two-pot withdrawal-fuelled spending winds down.
Read MoreRetailer confidence declined marginally from 54% to 50% in the first quarter. This suggests a slowdown in positive momentum, but confidence still remains 10 percentage points (%pts) above the long-term average.
Read MoreExtending the positive momentum of the past two quarters, business confidence among retailers increased by nine percentage points (% pts) to 54% in the fourth quarter. This puts confidence at its highest level in three years.
Read MoreAfter levelling with the long-term average in the second quarter, the BER’s retail business confidence index increased by six percentage points (% pts) to 45% in the third quarter. The survey results also echo the deceleration in price growth indicated by headline CPI.
Read MoreBusiness confidence among retailers increased by five percentage points to 39% in the second quarter, but there is a lot of variation between the different retail subcategories. Consumers' real disposable income remains constrained, with a particular impact on furniture retailers and new vehicle dealers.
Read MoreThe results from the BER’s latest Retail Survey show that the business confidence levels of retailers dipped during the first quarter of 2024 despite an improvement in sales volumes. Non-durable and semi-durable goods retailers registered the largest upticks in volume growth, although profitability remained low.
Read MoreHaving edged up from a three-year low of 20 to 32 during the third quarter, the percentage of retailers reporting that they are satisfied with prevailing business conditions increased further to 47 in the fourth quarter – the highest reading since 2022Q3. The uptick in retailer confidence appears to be driven by improvements in profitability and general business conditions.
Read More
