Row rect Shape Decorative svg added to bottom CONSUMER INSIGHTS Absa Merchant Spend Analytics Report : May 2025 Absa | Corporate and Investment Banking > Insights and Events > Absa Merchant Spend Analytics Report: May 2025 SHARE Consumers display price-sensitivity despite card spending and transaction volumes rebounding. After a dip in April, card spending experiences a slight uptick in May, but restraint defines consumer behaviour. While this growth is a welcome sign, it’s important to note that the 2% month-on-month increase remains below the current inflation rate, suggesting that spending power is still facing headwinds. A notable entry into the top 10 core categories for the first time was the category of Government, which replaced Tourism. This shift is strongly linked to heightened card spending in the Electric, Gas, Sanitary and Water Utilities sub-category. A spending shift like this stems from both the seasonal effects influenced by colder weather and Eskom’s annual tariff adjustments implemented in April. Other notable entries include transport, education and gambling. This turnaround reflects the impact of seasonal trends, and rising electricity costs – all shaping South Africa’s evolving economic landscape. Importantly, May also coincided with South Africa’s national Savings Month, further underscoring the importance of responsible budget management and financial planning during times of economic strain. Key insights Your browser does not support the video tag. An analysis of the year-to-date figures reveals that growth has slowed compared to the same period last year (April YTD 2024 vs. April YTD 2025). Other noteworthy key takeaways include the continued outperformance of credit cards over debit cards in terms of usage, despite a clear slowdown. A plateau in popular online spending also indicates a normalisation in growth, rather than a decline in interest. Download latest Absa Merchant Spend Analytics Report Access latest Press Release https://www.cib.absa.africa/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/file_example_MP3_700KB.mp3 Related Articles Podcasts Africa Trade: Balancing Gains and Pains, Practical Realities and Support Balancing gains and pains: the on-the-ground realities and practical support. How do African businesses turn a trade vision into a profitable reality? This final, action-oriented episode focuses on the on-the-ground realities of AfCFTA implementation, addressing critical challenges and detailing the practical support available to businesses, particularly SMMEs. Podcasts Africa Trade: More Than Just Tariffs, Unlocking Opportunities More than just tariffs: unlocking opportunities in services and investment. Ready to move beyond borders? This episode dives deep into the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), exploring the immense opportunities in services and investment that extend far beyond simple import tariff reductions over the next decade. Podcasts Navigating the New Africa Trade Deal Navigating the new trade deal. Ready to unlock a market of 1.3 billion people? This foundational episode of "Africa Trade Unlocked" is your essential guide to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), often hailed as the world's largest free trade area since the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
