FX.co ★ South Korea Retail Sales Fall Again in August

Retail sales in South Korea fell 1.8% month-on-month in August 2026, following a revised 2.6% decline in July. This was the second consecutive monthly drop, driven primarily by weaker sales of durable goods, including passenger cars, as well as food and beverages. On an annual basis, retail sales slipped 0.3% in August, after a revised 1% decrease in the previous month. As a key indicator of private consumption, the data show that household spending remained under pressure in August, underscoring persistent softness in domestic demand and a cautious consumer sentiment across the country.