Retail Turnover Fell In February

Australian retail turnover fell 0.1 per cent in February 2017, seasonally adjusted, according to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Retail Trade figures.

This follows a rise of 0.4 per cent in January 2017.

The trend estimate for Australian retail turnover rose 0.1 per cent in February 2017 following a 0.2 per cent rise in January 2017. Compared to February 2016, the trend estimate rose 2.9 per cent.

In seasonally adjusted terms, there were falls in clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (-2.5 per cent) and household goods retailing (-0.4 per cent). These falls were offset by rises in food retailing (0.3 per cent) and department stores (0.8 per cent). Other retailing, and cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services were relatively unchanged (0.0 per cent).

The fall in clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing was across both industry subgroups. Clothing retailing fell 2.9 per cent and footwear and other personal accessory retailing fell 1.9 per cent, in seasonally adjusted terms.

In seasonally adjusted terms, there were falls in Western Australia (-0.7 per cent), Victoria (-0.3 per cent), Queensland (-0.2 per cent), Tasmania (-0.5 per cent), and the Australian Capital Territory (-0.5 per cent). There were rises in New South Wales (0.4 per cent), the Northern Territory (0.4 per cent), and South Australia (0.1 per cent).

Online retail turnover contributed 3.6 per cent to total retail turnover in original terms.

Author: Martin North

Martin North is the Principal of Digital Finance Analytics

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