ABS September 2014 retail trade figures released today - 1.2 percent increase

PEAK retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) said the seasonally adjusted rise (1.2 percent increase) in monthly retail trade figures (month-on-month) reported today by the ABS followed a 0.1 percent rise in August 2014.

Year on year retail growth rose 5.7 percent in September 2014 (seasonally adjusted, compared to September 2013).

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said retailers noticed a small upward swing in sales in September despite unsteady levels of consumer confidence.

“In seasonally adjusted terms the largest contributor to the rise was household goods retailing (4.1%) where electrical and electronic goods retailing recorded growth (9.2%). According to the ABS, this figure was heavily influenced by the release of the iPhone 6 during the month of September.

“Other industries which experienced rises were cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (2.0%), food retailing (0.4%) department stores (1.3%) and clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (0.4%).

"As the ARA predicted last month, the arrival of spring certainly provided the above sectors with a boost in sales with consumers stepping out to socialise at their local cafes and restaurants as well as much-needed encouragement to start purchasing new summer stock in stores across the country.

“In seasonally adjusted terms the states which displayed rises were New South Wales (1.7%), Victoria (1.3%), Western Australia (1.3%), Queensland (0.4%), South Australia (1.2%), the Australian Capital Territory (1.9%) and Tasmania (0.8%). This was partially offset by a fall in the Northern Territory (-0.6%).

“The Australian Retail Index (delivered by BDO and Retail Express) reports that retailers across the country saw mixed sales results during September with all sectors showing a level of inconsistency. By mid-September, retailers in the fashion and accessories sector were grinning after two very strong weeks of sales.

"These results mirror sales growth for the same period in 2013, suggesting that the change in season had a positive impact and that consumers were shedding winter fashion to prepare for the warmer months ahead. By the end of September however, sales were down again across most sectors – continuing the rollercoaster ride for this sector during the first month of spring.

"Overall, September’s results are certainly a positive sign for the retail sector and we remain hopeful that December (year on year) sales will achieve 6 percent growth.

“Pre-Christmas sales are almost upon us and it is now imperative that the Federal Government and RBA do all that they can to ensure that retail trade is fully supported. The festive season is an extremely important time for retailers to make up for what has been a tough year in business,” Mr Zimmerman said.

MONTHLY RETAIL GROWTH (August 2014 – September 2014 seasonally adjusted)

Household goods retailing (4.1%), Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (2.0%), Department stores (1.3%), Food retailing (0.4%), Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (0.4%), Other retailing (-0.2%) and Total sales (1.2%).

Australian Capital Territory (1.9%), New South Wales (1.7%), Victoria (1.3%), Western Australia (1.3%), South Australia (1.2%), Tasmania (0.8), and Queensland (0.4%) and Northern Territory (-0.6%). Total sales (1.2%).

YEAR-ON-YEAR RETAIL GROWTH (September 2013 – September 2014 seasonally adjusted)

Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (11.7%), Household goods retailing (9.7%), Food retailing (5.8%), Other retailing (3.4%), Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (-0.3%) and Department stores (-4.1%). Total sales (5.7%).

New South Wales (9.4%), Tasmania (7.2%), Victoria (6.7%), Western Australia (3.3%), South Australia (2.6%), Australian Capital Territory (2.5%), Queensland (1.8%) and Northern Territory (1.1%). Total sales (5.7%). 

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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.