Australian department stores and fashion retailers saw the highest rise in turnover in February 2023, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Department stores saw an increase of 1% in the prior month, with clothing footwear and personal accessories seeing a 0.6% rise. This follows an 8.8% and 6.5% rise in both sectors in January 2023, respectively.
Total retail turnover across Australia nudged up by 0.2%, following a 1.8% rise in the prior month.
ABS head of retail statistics Ben Dorber said retail sales rose modestly in February and appear to have levelled out after a period of increased volatility over November, December and January.
“On average, retail spending has been flat through the end of 2022 and to begin the new year,” Dorber said.
“Spending in food related industries continued to grow steadily in February, with cafes restaurants and takeaway food services up 0.5%, while food retailing rose 0.2%.”
“Non-food industry results were mixed as consumers continue to pull back on discretionary spending in response to high cost of living pressures,” Mr Dorber said.
Other retailing was the only industry to record a fall this month, down 0.4%, while household goods retailing remained relatively unchanged at 0%.
Retail turnover rose modestly across most of the states and territories, with rises at 1.0% or less. Queensland recorded the only fall in turnover, down 0.4%.