Consumer market outlook reveals cautious optimism in South Africa

THE Bureau for Market Research (BMR) has remained cautiously optimistic about the consumer landscape in South Africa over the next three years.

- SIPHELELE DLUDLA

This is according to the BMR's latest flagship study, titled Consumer Market Outlook for 2025 to 2027, which delivered critical insights into evolving consumer sentiment and spending habits shaped by macroeconomic influences in South Africa.

Authored by Dr Requier Wait, chief researcher at the BMR, the report examines how changing economic and policy conditions are poised to impact consumer behaviour over the next three years. The BMR projected that modest growth in real household consumption, underpinned by wage increases and easing inflation, will battle against high household debt and a heavier burden of personal income tax.