Retail turnover looking up

The latest Retail Trade figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) have revealed a rise in retail turnover, with department stores cited as the biggest contributor to the increase.

According to the figures, Australian retail turnover rose 0.4 per cent in August 2013, seasonally adjusted, following a rise of 0.1 per cent in July 2013.

While in current prices, the trend estimate for department stores fell 0.9 per cent in August 2013. The seasonally adjusted estimate rose 6.4 per cent, making depart,ent stores the largest contributor to the rise in August 2013.

This was followed by cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (0.4 per cent), clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (0.3 per cent) and food retailing (0.1 per cent).

In current prices, the trend estimate for clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing rose 0.5 per cent in August 2013. The seasonally adjusted estimate rose 0.3 per cent.

By industry subgroup, the trend estimate rose for clothing retailing (0.6 per cent) and footwear and other personal accessory retailing (0.3 per cent). The seasonally adjusted estimate rose for clothing retailing (0.5 per cent) and was relatively unchanged for Footwear and other personal accessory retailing (0.0 per cent).

The state which was the largest contributor to the rise was Victoria (0.6 per cent) followed by New South Wales (0.4 per cent), Western Australia (0.7 per cent), Queensland (0.2 per cent), the Northern Territory (1.3 per cent) and Tasmania (0.3 per cent). These rises were partially offset by falls in South Australia (-0.2 per cent) and the Australian Capital Territory (-0.8 per cent).

Over the longer term, South Australia is the largest contributor to the strength (up 0.6 per cent in trend terms).

Through the year, Australian retail turnover also rose 2.3 per cent in August 2013, seasonally adjusted, compared to August 2012.

The report also indicated that the trend estimate for Australian retail turnover was relatively unchanged in August 2013 (0.0 per cent). This follows a rise of 0.1 per cent in July 2013. Through the year, the trend estimate rose 1.7 per cent in August 2013 compared to August 2012.