Retail sales in South Korea dropped by 1.8% month-over-month in August 2026, following an upwardly revised 2.6% decline in the previous month. This marked the second consecutive month of decrease, largely driven by lower sales of durable goods, such as passenger cars and food and beverages. On a year-on-year basis, retail activity fell by 0.3% in August, after an upwardly revised 1% decline in the preceding period. As a key gauge of private consumption, the latest figures suggest household spending remained under pressure in August, pointing to continued weakness in domestic demand and a cautious consumer environment in the country.