2026.03.3023:00:00UTC+00South Korea’s Retail Sales Stall in February, Breaking Growth Streak

South Korea’s retail sector lost momentum in February 2026, with month‑over‑month sales growth flat at 0.0%, according to data updated on 30 March 2026. This marks a sharp slowdown from January 2026, when retail sales rose 2.9% compared with December, highlighting a sudden pause in consumer spending activity.

The latest reading indicates that, on a month‑over‑month basis, retailers saw no aggregate improvement in sales volumes or values from January to February. In contrast, the previous month’s 2.9% advance had suggested robust demand at the start of the year. The February stagnation therefore breaks the short‑term upward momentum that had been building in South Korea’s retail market.

The figures are measured on a month‑over‑month basis, meaning February’s “actual” data reflect the change in retail sales versus January, while January’s “previous” data capture the change relative to December. With the indicator now at 0.0%, markets and policymakers will be watching upcoming releases closely for signs of whether this pause is temporary or the start of a broader cooling in consumer activity.