CONSUMER INSIGHTS | NOVEMBER 2024 Absa’s Merchant Spend Analytics: September 2024 Absa | Corporate and Investment Banking > Insights and Events > Absa’s Merchant Spend Analytics: September 2024 SHARE Consume This, CGS Monthly: Volume 8 The two-pot system and consumer spending power Is the two-pot retirement system giving consumers extra money to spend? We know the financial health of the consumer has been under strain for a prolonged period, leading to a decline in card spending and volumes. The latest Merchant Spend Analytics reports how consumers may be using a portion of their two-pot retirement system payouts to settle short-term debt and restore household spending. The report outlines how to factors such as delayed payouts, the processing of tax directives, consumers channeling funds towards reducing debt and consumer uncertainty about withdrawing retirement funds may have contributed to the decrease in consumer spending. The report offers insights on consumer spending habits, derived from a vast array of card transaction data. By examining patterns and trends within this data, we have gained valuable insights into the preferences, behaviours and spending power of consumers across various categories. Your browser does not support the video tag. Key highlights: Month-to-month: September 2024 showed a decline in card spending and transaction volumes. YTD figures ending in September 2024: Deceleration in card spending and transaction volumes compared to the same period in 2023. Debit card vs credit card: Credit card usage continues to outpace the use of debit cards. Online spending vs in-store spending: Online spending continues to enjoy double-digit growth. Download latest Absa Merchant Spend Analytics Report https://cib.absa.africa/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/file_example_MP3_700KB.mp3 Related Articles CONSUMER INSIGHTS Absa Merchant Spend Analytics Report: H1 2025 Absa Merchant Spend Analytics Report: June 2025- Consumer card spending remained volatile in June 2025, with most categories experiencing significant declines. Following a minor recovery in May, both card spending and transaction volumes decreased once more. Historically, June typically marks a downturn before a July rebound. Read more CONSUMER INSIGHTS Absa Merchant Spend Analytics Report: May 2025 Johannesburg, 29 July 2025 – The Absa Merchant Spend Analytics Report for May 2025 indicates a slight uptick in card activity, following April’s sharp decline. According to Absa’s internal data, card spending increased by 2% month-on-month (MTM), while transaction volumes climbed by 4%. Despite the 2% growth in card spending and 4% increase in transaction volumes, this growth remains below the prevailing inflation rate of 2.8%. Read more CONSUMER INSIGHTS Absa Merchant Spend Analytics Report: April 2025 The Merchant Spend Analytics Report for April 2025 noted a surprising decline in card transaction data for the month. In the wake of a robust performance in March, the month-to-month figures showed a 5% decline in card spending and a 7% decrease in transaction volume. Read more
