Australian retail turnover is up again 0.6 per cent in September 2022, according to Retail Trade figures released on October 31 by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
The increase is the ninth consecutive rise, following a 0.6 per cent rise in August 2022 and a 1.3 per cent rise in July 2022, the ABS said.
ABS retail statistics head Ben Dorber said September’s rise was again driven by the combined strength in the food industries.
“Food retailing rose 1.0 per cent, while cafes, restaurants, and takeaway food services rose 1.3 per cent,” Mr Dorber said.
“Many retailers remained open for the National Day of Mourning, an additional one-off public holiday in September, and this boosted spending on food, alcohol and dining out.”
The ABS said footwear, personal accessory and clothing retailing at the largest percentage rise, up 2 per cent following a fall of 2.3 per cent in August this year.
“Household goods retailing fell 0.8 per cent, a slight decrease after last month’s large rise of 2.6 per cent. The fall in September was softened by the release of new mobile phone models and is the fourth monthly fall in household goods retailing in the last six months. Department stores also fell, down 0.4 per cent,” an ABS statement said.
Victoria, including in Hume and Whittlesea, experienced a 0.4 per cent turnover.
Mr Dorber said to see the effect of consumer prices on recent turnover growth, it will be important to look at quarterly retail sales volumes to be released later this week. The latest Consumer Price Index showed prices continued to rise strongly in the September quarter.
Additional information on the September reference period will be released on November 2, 2022.
