THE INFLUENCE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF LISTED RETAIL FIRMS IN SOUTH AFRICA

The objective of the study was to analyse the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the financial performance of selected listed retail firms in South Africa. The COVID-19 pandemic had a negative effect on economic growth and resulted in a severe decline in the financial performance of companies. In addition, it disrupted many business and economic development opportunities in South Africa. The study was conducted to investigate the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the financial performance of selected retail firms listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). Panel data analysis was adopted as a methodology to achieve the study objectives. The COVID-19 pandemic was found to have exerted a statistically significant negative impact on financial performance. Positive significant relationships emerged between financial leverage, firm size, financial liquidity and financial performance of selected JSE-listed retail firms. Lastly, growth in sales was found to be positive but exerted a weak significance on financial performance. The study contributes to the existing literature on the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the financial performance of listed retail entities in South Africa.