The latest ABS Retail Trade figures show that Australian retail turnover rose 1.2 per cent in January 2014, seasonally adjusted, following a rise of 0.7 per cent in December 2013.
Turnover rose in cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (2.0 per cent), other retailing (1.9 per cent), household goods retailing (1.5 per cent), department stores (2.6 per cent), food retailing (0.4 per) and clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (1.1 per cent). Over the longer term, in dollar movements, food retailing is the strongest contributor to growth (up 0.8 per cent in trend terms).
Turnover rose in New South Wales (2.1 per cent), Victoria (1.0 per cent), Queensland (1.2 per cent), South Australia (0.6 per cent), the Northern Territory (3.3 per cent) and Tasmania (1.8 per cent). These rises were partially offset by falls in the Australian Capital Territory (-1.9 per cent) and Western Australia (-0.3 per cent). Over the longer term, in dollar movements, New South Wales was the strongest contributor to growth (up 1.0 per cent in trend terms).
Through the year, Australian retail turnover rose 6.2 per cent in January 2014, seasonally adjusted, compared to January 2013.
The trend estimate for Australian retail turnover rose 0.7 per cent in January 2014. This follows a 0.7 per cent rise in December 2013. Through the year, the trend estimate rose 5.6 per cent in January 2014 compared to January 2013.
