The release of the latest CommSec State of States economic report has shown Tasmania to be the 'big improver' economically this quarter jumping to 4th place among the states, with NSW retaining its top spot.
The ACT was the strongest retail performer, in regards to annual growth, up 4.5% with Tasmania and South Australia following at 3.0% and 2.7% respectively.
The state was also the strongest when it came to monthly retail trade. posting a 6.3% increase, while Queensland came in second at 4.3% and NSW third with 4.0%.
There were no changes to the retail rankings since the June quarter as NSW remained in pole position, with spending at 16.4% above decade average levels in the September quarter.
Victoria followed in second place with spending in the state 13.3% above decade-average levels. This was once again attributed to home building and strength in employment.
The Northern Territory recorded the weakest numbers for retail spending, up only 5.1% on the decade average, below South Australia (7.7%) and Tasmania (8.5%).