Income

The total income for the retail trade industry in 2022 was R1 164,0 billion. The total income represents an increase of 4,5% per annum compared with the income reported in the corresponding survey of 2018 (R977,2 billion). Comparing 2018 and 2022, large increases were reported for ‘non-specialised stores with food, beverages and tobacco predominating’ (+R92,2 billion), ‘food, beverages and tobacco in specialised stores’ (+R26,2 billion) and ‘hardware, paints and glass’ (+R25,9 billion).

Between 2012 and 2022, ‘hardware, paints and glass’ gained the biggest percentage share of income (2,0 percentage points) (from a percentage contribution of 6,8% in 2012 to 8,8% in 2022). ‘Household furniture, appliances, articles and equipment’ lost the biggest percentage share (-2,1 percentage points) over the same period (from 6,0% in 2012 to 3,9% in 2022).

Revisions: revisions were made to Report No. 62-01-02 (2018) results due to new information obtained after the publication.

Employment

The total number of persons employed in the retail trade industry as at the end of June 2022 was 858 610. This represents an increase of 2,4% per annum compared with the employment recorded in 2018 (780 392 persons). Comparing 2018 and 2022, the largest employment increase was reported for ‘non-specialised stores with food, beverages and tobacco predominating’ (76 807).

Formal employment in the retail trade industry increased from 702 819 in 2012 to 858 610 in 2022 (a gain of 155 791 jobs). The biggest gain in employment since 2012 was in ‘non-specialised stores with food, beverages and tobacco predominating’ (+96 018), followed by ‘textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods’ (+30 345). The biggest loss in employment during the same period was in ‘household furniture, appliances, articles and equipment’ (-17 931 jobs).

Average salaries and wages

The average salaries and wages in the retail trade industry in 2022 was R122 324. The type of retail trade with the highest average salaries and wages in 2022 was ‘pharmaceutical and medical goods, cosmetic and toilet articles’ (R197 393), followed by ‘repair of personal and household goods and retail trade not in stores’ (R163 137) and ‘other specialised stores’ (R154 659). The type of retail trade with the lowest average salaries and wages in 2022 was ‘non-specialised stores with food, beverages and tobacco predominating’ (R93 740).

Total average salaries and wages in the retail trade industry increased from R84 380 in 2012 to R122 324 in 2022, an annualised growth rate of 3,8%. The highest annualised growth rate for average salaries and wages between surveys in the retail trade industry was 7,0% between 2015 and 2018.