Fashion and department store retailing managed to rise in NSW and Queensland in February, preliminary data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) indicates.
On a month-to-month basis, the ABS reports that retail turnover fell 1.1% in February, driven by various COVID lockdowns across the country.
However, on a year-on-year basis, turnover rose 8.7% when compared to February 2020, with the data showing that Aussies spent $30.2 billion at retail during the month.
ABS director of quarterly economy wide surveys Ben James said that fashion retailing fared well in some states.
"Restrictions due to COVID-19 in Victoria, and parts of Western Australia, drove the February fall.
"Victoria fell 4%, and Western Australia fell 6%, as trade was restricted for five days in each state.
"The falls were partially offset by rises in New South Wales and Queensland.
"Both these states had seen trade impacted by COVID-19 in January, and in February saw rises in industries such as clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing and department stores," he said.
While retailers may be pleased to see the strong year-on-year results, Australian Retailers Association CEO Paul Zahra said that they remain on edge as the end of JobKeeper date looms.
"JobKeeper ends in just over a week, and while the scheme has been incredibly successful in keeping businesses afloat and stimulus in the economy – the recovery hasn’t been felt evenly across all of retail.
"Our CBDs and travel retailers are in deep pain, with international tourists and students still missing and office occupancy rates – in Melbourne and Sydney in particular – still very low.
"That’s had a devastating impact on city retailers – there are less people going to their favourite cafes, shopping during their lunch breaks or even going out for dinner and drinks after work.
"The wind up of JobKeeper will only add to the pain these businesses are currently feeling with many forced to let go of workers.
"Whilst we have a lot to celebrate in Australia’s economic recovery – for SMB retail in particular, the real evaluation will be in the months ahead as to whether COVID affected businesses will be able to survive," he said.