Fiji’s retail and wholesale sector continues to show solid momentum, with the Reserve Bank of Fiji’s latest Quarterly Review revealing that total sales and services income rose by 4.4 percent to $3.41 billion in the first half of 2025.
The central bank says the increase highlights “broad-based improvement across key retail and wholesale categories,” pointing particularly to stronger sales of automotive fuel, hardware, paints, glass, and food and beverages.
“In real terms, WRT (Wholesale, Retail, Trade) sales income was higher by 4.9 percent, reflecting ongoing strength in domestic demand,” the RBF said.
The Review also confirmed that VAT collected from the WRT sector rose by 10.9 percent, mirroring the uplift in turnover.
The RBF notes that policy measures announced in the National Budget are expected to reinforce this positive trend.
“The reduction in VAT, together with higher civil servant salaries and increased social welfare payments, is expected to boost purchasing power and stimulate further spending,” it said.
Additional signs of robust consumption are reflected in the August 2025 Retail Sales Survey, which now forecasts 5.0 percent growth by year-end, an upward revision from the 4.0 percent projected earlier this year.
The Review also highlights strong momentum in vehicle-related activity.
Total vehicle registrations climbed 23.9 percent to 11,050 in the year to September, driven by rises in both second-hand and new vehicle purchases. Lending for personal transport surged 58.1 percent to $76.4 million, underscoring rising household confidence.
With sales income surpassing $3.41 billion, the RBF says the sector’s performance “demonstrates resilient consumer activity and broad-based economic support” as Fiji heads into the final quarter of the year.
