The latest trade figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) have buoyed hope that retail may be on its way out of a dark period.
The figures, released today, show that Australian retail turnover rose 0.5 per cent in December 2013, seasonally adjusted, following a rise of 0.7 per cent in November 2013.
Turnover rose in food retailing (2.5 per cent), cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (0.5 per cent) and department stores (0.3 per cent).
In current prices, the trend estimate for department stores also saw a lift (0.4 per cent) in December 2013.
The seasonally adjusted estimate fell for clothing retailing (-2.7 per cent) and footwear and other personal accessory retailing (-1.0 per cent) ).
However, in current prices, the trend estimate for clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing rose 0.7 per cent in December 2013. By industry subgroup, the trend estimate rose for clothing retailing (0.9 per cent), but dropped for Footwear and other personal accessory retailing (-0.1 per cent).
Turnover rose in New South Wales (0.9 per cent), Victoria (0.6 per cent), Queensland (0.2 per cent), Tasmania (1.8 per cent), the Australian Capital Territory (1.3 per cent) and Western Australia (0.1 per cent).
These rises were partially offset by falls in the Northern Territory (-1.5 per cent) and South Australia (-0.2 per cent). Over the longer term, in dollar movements, New South Wales was the strongest contributor to growth (up 0.7 per cent in trend terms).
Through the year, Australian retail turnover rose 5.7 per cent in December 2013, seasonally adjusted, compared to December 2012.
The trend estimate for Australian retail turnover rose 0.6 per cent in December 2013. This follows a 0.6 per cent rise in November 2013. Through the year, the trend estimate rose 4.6 per cent in December 2013 compared to December 2012.
In volume terms, turnover rose 0.9 per cent in the December quarter 2013, seasonally adjusted, following a rise of 0.8 per cent in the September quarter 2013.