Consumer sentiment rebounds to highest level of 2025, signalling stronger festive spending

SOUTH African consumer confidence improved notably in the fourth quarter of 2025, offering a welcome boost to retailers ahead of the festive season.

- YOGASHEN PILLAY

THE FNB/Bureau for Economic Research (BER) Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) released on Tuesday indicated a rebound to -9 index points in the fourth quarter, after falling from -10 to -13 in the third quarter of 2025. Experts have welcomed the findings of the index.

(PIXABAY)

The latest FNB/Bureau for Economic Research (BER) Consumer Confidence Index (CCI), released on Tuesday, shows the index rising from -13 in the third quarter to -9, marking the strongest reading of the year.

Although still below the long-term average of -1 and slightly lower than the 2024 festive-season level of -6, the CCI report says the latest uptick is meaningful.

It follows robust retail activity earlier in the year, with sales volumes growing by an average 3.9% year-on-year during the first three quarters of 2025. The BER noted that the improvement suggests consumers’ willingness to spend has extended into the holiday period.