ABS February 2014 retail trade figures: 4.8% year on year growth

 

PEAK retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) said the seasonally adjusted rise (0.2 percent increase) in monthly retail trade figures (month-on-month) reported today by the ABS followed a 1.2 percent rise in January 2014.

Year on year retail growth also rose 4.8 percent in February 2014, seasonally adjusted, compared to February 2013. These positive results have left retailers optimistic that the industry may finally be on the road to recovery.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said it is great to see such strong trade results for February, following a particularly impressive month of post-Christmas sales in January.

“Department stores experienced a significant drop in sales (-4.7%) which was to be expected as shoppers reign in their post-Christmas spending and start looking at their budgets for the year ahead.

“It is also no surprise that household goods (2.0%) and other retailing (1.9%) were large contributors to February results, with Valentine’s Day being a major celebratory occasion.

“Research company IBISWorld estimated that $791.4 million was spent on gifts and experiences on Valentine’s Day this year - up 1.8 percent on 2013 which is a great sign for the retail sector. The ARA was also pleased to hear that, on average, consumers spent about $86 on their partner on February 14.

“Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (0.1%) also benefited from Valentine’s Day. February was also a very warm month, with many consumers still in holiday-mode and enjoying regular social celebrations at their local cafes and restaurants.

“The ARA was pleased to see Victoria (0.5%), Western Australia (0.4%), New South Wales (0.1%) and Queensland (0.1%) experience growth, however, these rises were partially offset by falls in Tasmania (-1.4%), the Northern Territory (-0.6%) and the Australian Capital Territory (-0.1%). South Australia was relatively unchanged (0.0%). 

“The ARA is pleased to see 2014 starting to look up for the Australian retail sector. It is now imperative that the Federal Government gives retailers the opportunity to grow the Australian economy and create employment opportunities by quickly removing unnecessary red tape costs and addressing the low value GST loophole,” Mr Zimmerman said. 

MONTHLY RETAIL GROWTH (January 2014 – February 2014 seasonally adjusted):
  
Household goods retailing (2.0%), Other retailing (1.9%),  Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (0.1%), Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (0.1%), Food retailing (-0.2%) and Department stores (-4.7%). Total sales (0.2%).              
 
Victoria (0.5%), Western Australia (0.4%), New South Wales (0.1%), Queensland (0.1%), South Australia (0.0%), and Australian Capital Territory (-0.1%) Northern Territory (-0.6%) and Tasmania (-1.4%). Total sales (0.2%).
 
 
YEAR-ON-YEAR RETAIL GROWTH (February 2013 – February 2014 seasonally adjusted):
 
Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (10.3%), Food retailing (5.0%), Household goods retailing (4.5%), Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (4.3%), Other retailing (4.2%) and Department stores (-4.1%). Total sales (4.8%).
 
Tasmania (7.0%), New South Wales (6.7%),  Northern Territory (6.0%), Victoria (5.8%),  South Australia (4.6%), Queensland (3.1%), Western Australia (1.6%) and Australian Capital Territory (-0.07%).Total sales (4.8%).
 
 
Since 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body representing Australia’s $265 billion retail sector, which employs over 1.2 million people. The ARA ensures retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia.

Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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