BI: Retail Sales in March 2026 Grow 2.4 Percent

Bank Indonesia (BI) forecasts that retail sales performance in March 2026 will continue to grow. This is reflected in the Real Sales Index (RSI) projected to increase by 2.4 percent year-on-year (yoy). “The growth is supported by increases in sales of spare parts and accessories, food, beverages, and tobacco, as well as cultural and recreational goods,” said Ramdan Denny Prakoso, Executive Director of BI’s Communication Department, in a written statement on Monday, 13 April 2026. On a monthly basis (month-to-month/mtm), retail sales for March 2026 are projected to grow by 9.3 percent, higher than February 2026’s 4.1 percent. The rise, he said, is driven by the majority of goods groups, particularly information and communication equipment, motor vehicle fuel, and the clothing sub-group, in line with increased household demand during the National Religious Holidays (NRH) period of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah. In February 2026, the RSI grew 6.5 percent year-on-year, higher than January 2026’s 5.7 percent. This growth was supported by increases in sales across most goods groups, particularly spare parts and accessories, food, beverages, and tobacco, as well as the clothing sub-group. On a monthly basis, February 2026 retail sales grew by 4.1 percent, an improvement from January’s contraction of 2.7 percent. This increase aligns with rising public demand during the Ramadan period. From a price perspective, Bank Indonesia forecasts that inflationary pressures over the next three months, up to May 2026, will increase. This is reflected in the General Price Expectations Index (GPEI) for May 2026 at 157.4, higher than April 2026’s 153.9, in line with rising raw material prices. For the next six months, or up to August 2026, price pressures are projected to remain relatively stable. The GPEI for August 2026 is recorded at 157.2, relatively unchanged from July 2026’s 157.1.