An index measuring economic activity in SA shows the biggest decline in several years – but one bright spot is an expected increase in retail sales.

Trade conditions continued to improve in March after moving into positive territory in February, as reflected in the Trade Activity Index from Sacci.

Trade conditions moved into positive territory as the trade activity index, which measures trade conditions, improved by 3 points to 53 last month.

Current trade conditions recovered to a seasonally adjusted 48 in August from the sharp dip to 38 in July, Sacci’s Trade Activity Index has shown.

Trade conditions remained depressed in June, according to the monthly Trade Conditions Survey released by the SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry.