Overview
- Seasonally adjusted sales rose 5.2% from November, a temporary boost tied to year‑end shopping and bonus payments, according to CAME.
- For 2025 overall, SME retail sales edged up 2.5% versus 2024, with gains driven by strong growth in January to April before eight straight year‑on‑year declines from May.
- Six of seven sub‑sectors fell in December year on year, led by bazaar and home décor (-15%), perfumery (-9.8%) and apparel (-8.5%), while hardware and construction materials rose 0.8%.
- Merchant sentiment improved modestly: 55% reported conditions similar to a year earlier and 27.6% saw deterioration, down from 37% reporting worsening in November.
- CAME reports consumers prioritized essentials and promotions, and it says elevated costs and low profitability are curbing investment as retailers look to turn seasonal gains into a sustained 2026 recovery.