Retail Sales Trend Growth Steady at 0.3%

The ABS released the latest retail turnover data, which rose 0.3 per cent in April 2018 following a rise (0.3 per cent) in March 2018. Compared to April 2017 the trend estimate rose 2.6 per cent. The less reliable seasonally adjusted turnover rose 0.4 per cent in April 2018, seasonally adjusted, which follows a relatively unchanged result (0.0 per cent) in March 2018.

Across the categories,  food retailing was up 0.4%, household good up 4%, other retailing 0.2%, Cafes and takeaway food 0.1%, department stores down 0.1%, clothes and footwear down 0.2%.

Across the states, the trends were strongest in NT up 0.7%, ACT up 0.6%, NSW and VIC up 0.4%, TAS up 0.2%, QLD 0.1% and SA fell 0.1%.

Online retail turnover contributed 5.4 per cent to total retail turnover in original terms in April 2018, a rise from 5.1 per cent in March 2018. In April 2017 online retail turnover contributed 3.4 per cent to total retail.

Author: Martin North

Martin North is the Principal of Digital Finance Analytics

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