SA Economic Indicators: for the month of August 2013

SA Economic Indicators for the month of July 2013 © 2013 Trade Intelligence SA Economic Indicators Exchange Rate Updated September 2013 Source: X-Rates.com Euro officially launched 2008/2009 Recession & election uncertainty Euro debt crisis Rand weakens due to trade deficit and low confidence in economy Rand fallout

SA Economic Indicators for the month of July 2013 © 2013 Trade Intelligence Updated September 2013 SA Economic Indicators Exchange Rate Source: X-Rates.com Rand weakens following news of GDP slump

SA Economic Indicators for the month of July 2013 © 2013 Trade Intelligence SA Economic Indicators Exchange Rate COMMENTARY South Africa's rand has dropped 13.5% against the dollar since the start of May The Rand experienced four year lows in the month of August, due to the slowdown of the South African economy, with retail sales down to 3% in June The Rand was bolstered slightly in the first week of September by the positive manufacturing production growth which increased by 2.7% from the previous year with agriculture, forestry and fishing industry increasing by 6.7% year-on-year However the Rand remains volatile and looks likely to decline over the next few months as further disruptions to the country’s mining and production sectors are expected as wage disputes come to the fore South Africa’s large and widening trade deficit will continue to put pressure on the Rand, as a large trade deficit indicates an economy of buying more than it produces and living beyond its means Average Rates by Month and % Change YOY Aug 2012Aug 2013 US$R8.26R10.10 (+22.3%) €R10.24R13.39 (+23.5%) £R12.98R15.83 (+21,9%)

SA Economic Indicators for the month of July 2013 © 2013 Trade Intelligence tel fax Kim Furber | Online Support Helga Altenroxel |Retail Analyst Kate Shirley | Independent Retail Analyst Maryla Masojada |Head Research Disclaimer These materials and the information contained herein are collated by TI* referencing a wide range of public domain data sources, face-to-face interviews, retailer presentations and financial reports, and are intended to provide general information about the South African consumer goods trading environment and selected retailers, and are not intended as an exhaustive treatment of such subjects. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information published in this work is accurate, your use of these and the information contained herein is at your own risk. The information is not intended to be relied upon as the sole basis for any decision which may affect you or your business, and TI makes no express or implied representations or warranties regarding the accuracy of the information herein. TI will not be liable for any special, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages or any other damages whatsoever, whether in an action of contract, statute, tort (including, without limitation, negligence), or otherwise, relating to the use of these materials and the information contained herein. TI expressly disclaims all implied warranties, including, without limitation, warranties of merchantability, title, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, compatibility, security, and accuracy. * TI refers to The Retail Workshop (Pty) Ltd trading as Trade Intelligence Other Sources ABSA Agri Trends; BizCommunity; Bloomberg; Business Day; Business Report; Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Financial Mail; Finweek; Fin 24; The Mercury; Reuters; Stanlib, Sunday Times; Sunday Tribune; The Times ; thesouthafrican.com