A boost in the latest retail trade figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has sparked hope that the industry may finally be on the road to recovery.
According to recent results, the trend estimate for the retail industry rose 0.7 per cent in January 2014, following two consecutive rises in both December 2013 and November 2013 of 0.7 per cent.
The seasonally adjusted estimate rose 1.2 per cent in January 2014. This follows a rise of 0.7 per cent December 2013 and a rise of 0.7 per cent in November 2013.
In trend terms, Australian turnover rose 5.6 per cent in January 2014 compared with January 2013.
By industry, department stores saw a lift of 0.7 per cent, while clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing lagged a little but still saw a rise, of 0.3 per cent.
By industry subgroup, the trend estimate rose for clothing retailing (0.4 per cent) and fell for Footwear and other personal accessory retailing (-0.2 per cent).
The seasonally adjusted estimate rose for clothing retailing (1.6 per cent) and was relatively unchanged (0.0 per cent) for Footwear and other personal accessory retailing.
Food retailing (0.8 per cent), Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (1.4 per cent), Household goods retailing (0.4 per cent), Other retailing (0.4 per cent) also saw an increase for the period.
By state, Tasmania saw the biggest lift (1.3 per cent), followed by New South Wales (1.0 per cent), Victoria (0.8 per cent), Queensland (0.6 per cent), Western Australia (0.4 per cent), Tasmania (1.3 per cent), South Australia (0.2 per cent), the Northern Territory (0.3 per cent) and the Australian Capital Territory (0.2 per cent).