Retail revival?

The latest retail trade figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) have revealed a rise in retail turnover.

Australian retail turnover rose 0.8 per cent in September 2013, seasonally adjusted, following a rise of 0.5 per cent in August 2013, according to the ABS report.

Turnover rose in other retailing (1.6 per cent), department stores (2.8 per cent), clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (2.5 per cent), food retailing (0.4 per cent) and cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (0.6 per cent).

These rises were partially offset by a fall in household goods retailing (-0.4 per cent). Over the longer term, clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing is the strongest contributor to growth (up 1.3 per cent in trend terms).

In current prices, the trend estimate for clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing rose 1.3 per cent in September 2013.

The seasonally adjusted estimate rose 2.5 per cent. By industry subgroup, the trend estimate rose for clothing retailing (1.2 per cent) and footwear and other personal accessory retailing (0.7 per cent).

The seasonally adjusted estimate rose for clothing retailing (3.5 per cent) and footwear and other personal accessory retailing (0.8 per cent).

In current prices, the trend estimate for department stores rose 0.2 per cent in September 2013. The seasonally adjusted estimate rose 2.8 per cent.

Turnover rose in New South Wales (1.0 per cent), Victoria (1.0 per cent), Queensland (0.8 per cent), South Australia (0.7 per cent), Tasmania (0.7 per cent), the Australian Capital Territory (0.7 per cent) and the Northern Territory (0.7 per cent). These rises were partially offset by a fall in Western Australia (-0.2 per cent).

Over the longer term, Victoria was the strongest contributor to growth (up 0.5 per cent in trend terms).

Through the year, Australian retail turnover rose 2.9 per cent in September 2013, seasonally adjusted, compared to September 2012.

The trend estimate for Australian retail turnover rose 0.3 per cent in September 2013. This follows a 0.3 per cent rise in August 2013. Through the year, the trend estimate rose 2.6 per cent in September 2013 compared to September 2012.

In volume terms, turnover rose 0.7 per cent in the September quarter 2013, seasonally adjusted, following a fall of 0.1 per cent in the June quarter 2013.