But online shopping is catching up fast. E-commerce spend jumped from 27% last year to nearly 50% this year, thanks to people using AI tools to compare prices, find deals and research gifts before they click “buy now”.

What did we spend on?

The data shows a few clear trends:

• Home furniture and appliances saw strong growth — suggesting many of us invested in making our homes more comfortable or upgrading things we’ve been putting off.

• Hardware purchases surged too, as people used their holiday downtime to fix, renovate, or improve their spaces.

• Clothing sales grew, but more modestly — a sign that consumers are becoming smarter and more selective, hunting for specials, rewards and loyalty points before shopping.

Big events = big spending

Major global gatherings like the G20 and B20 summits brought a huge boost, pushing national spend up almost 50% during that period — especially on flights, hotels and restaurant visits as business travellers mixed work and leisure.

So why should you care?

This kind of spending behaviour helps show where the economy — and everyday confidence — is heading. If trends continue, 2026 could see:

• more deals and competitive pricing,

• better online shopping experiences powered by AI, and

• retailers creating smarter packages around major events and travel seasons.

For South Africans keeping an eye on their budgets — and hoping for a better year — it’s encouraging to see the signs pointing in the right direction.