Consumer goods sector:
How the next 5 years may
play out

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%.

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.

The first quarter for 2025 revealed resilient card spending with remarkable month-to-month recoveries. While growth moderated on a year-to-date basis, consumer sentiment remained strong and stable.