Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics yesterday revealed that retail turnover had increased by 0.4 per cent in September.
Despite the announcement of the 'small boost' in retail turnover, the apparel industry is still in trouble according to the Australian Retailers Association (ARA).
Turnover rose in all industries and included a 0.1 per cent increase in clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing and a 0.1 per cent increase in department store trading.
Overall trend turnover rose 0.3 per
cent in September and this follows a rise of 0.3 per cent in August
and a rise of 0.3 per cent in July.
Turnover volume rose 0.6 per
cent in the September quarter 2011, seasonally adjusted, following a
rise of 0.2 per cent in the previous quarter.
ARA's executive director, Russell Zimmerman, said it was the third month in a row the retail sector has seen modest monthly growth, but said clothing retailers and department stores have not reaped the benefits of this 'small boost' as they continue to struggle with sales well below the same time last year.
“Categories which would traditionally see a boost at this time of year due to the change of season are in significant year on year decline, including clothing and footwear (-8.1 per cent) and department stores (-3.8 per cent),” Zimmerman said.
“This is a further blow for the clothing and department store category given they would usually expect customers to be purchasing items for their holiday and leisure time.”
Zimmerman said when October figures are released retailers will be hoping for a boost in trade as this is usually when outfits and accessories are purchased for the spring racing season.