Retail analysts from Deloitte are anticipating a 4% contraction in retail spending in the June quarter.
Despite a surge in panic buying in early March, Deloitte expects overall retail turnover growth to fall 1.4% in 2020, making it the worst year on record.
Deloitte Access Economics partner and Retail Forecasts principal author, David Rumbens said that it is unwise for retailers to base any forecasts on the current trading conditions.
"2020 has been a tumultuous year for retailers. We’re not even halfway through, but across the whole sector we expect calendar 2020 to register a record breaking fall in real retail sales.
"But while the average is dire, there may not be many retailers performing at the average – many will fare much worse, while supermarkets, pharmacies and hardware, amongst others, have been experiencing a golden run.
"Consumer willingness to spend will likely be buffeted by a number of different factors, meaning that one month’s trading experience may be a terrible guide to how the year as a whole pans out.
"Rather than one dominant economic theme, we expect six phases to retail spending in 2020," he said.
Retail phases in 2020 - Source: ABS Cat 8501.0, Deloitte Access Economics
The six phases of spending in retail outlined by Deloitte are:
• A pre-COVID normal: January and February were hardly normal, as the country was dealing with devastating bushfires, and some borders were starting to close. However, for most retailers trading was in a familiar pattern with modest growth from month-tomonth.
• March stock-up: As COVID led to widespread restrictions, consumers entered a massive stocking-up cycle, with the extra spending on essentials masking a sharp decline in much discretionary spending. This culminated in the strongest monthly growth in retail sales on record.
• April slump: The stock-up phase tapered off, so supermarket and related spending came back down, while the downturn in discretionary spending (particularly cafes/restaurants and apparel) only got worse. The result? The worst fall in monthly Australian retail sales on record.
• May re-open rebound: As health concerns abated and consumers were given the green light to go back to shopping centres, retail spending appeared to have once again picked up sharply. This was helped by some pent-up demand, and a lot of government support, cushioning the blow which might otherwise have been seen on consumer incomes.
• Recovery growth: Tempering the re-opening frenzy, this will be a ‘COVID normal’ period, where sales are buoyed by an improving economy (picking up from a very deep trough), and which continues to benefit from income support measures (JobKeeper, deferral of mortgages, access to super etc.).
• Post JobKeeper slog: September is already flashing red for many retailers as the month for the intended end to JobKeeper, and therefore the significant support many businesses (including retailers of course) have been receiving. That may see the last phase for retail in 2020 as a fairly sombre one, leaving many retailers to dream of the support they received when COVID was at its peak.
Rumbens added that slow population growth will also play a role in subdued spending.
"Short-term risks from rising unemployment and reduced willingness to spend will linger, especially as fiscal stimulus programs are unwound in September.
"More worrying is the longer-term risk from weak population growth.
"Migration has been an important support for retail spending over the past decade, but with borders closed there is potential for this tailwind for growth to turn into a headwind," he said.