MEDIA RELEASE
April 16, 2008	Embargoed 11.30 am (AEST)	30/2008
WA's retail industry going strong: ABS

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) latest snapshot of Western Australia shows that WA's strong economic growth over the last 10 years has had a positive impact on retail spending.

Retail turnover in Western Australia rose by 61% ($24 billion) in real terms between 1996-97 and 2006-07, an average of 5% ($900 million) per year.

Food, household goods and hospitality and services accounted for nearly three-quarters (74%) of this growth.

Between 2002-03 and 2005-06, Western Australia's retail industry had the largest proportionate increases in total income (up 26.1% or $7 billion) of all states.

Retail trade employs more people in Western Australia than any other industry.
In 2006-07 14% (155,000) workers were employed in retail trade, and just over half (52%) of the businesses in Western Australia's retail industry were small businesses.

Perth consumers generally pay more for retail commodities than consumers in other capital cities. In the June quarter 2007, Perth consumers paid the highest average for meat; processed fruit and vegetables; and alcoholic drinks.

Regional family and household characteristics

WA's sea and tree change population - retired, couple only families - made up just over a third of all families in both the Mandurah and Avon Arc regions (36% and 34% respectively).

The Mandurah region also had the highest median age, at 43 years, as well as having one person in five (20%) over the age of 65.

The youngest areas of the state were Roebourne, Leonora, Kalgoorlie and Dalwallinu, all with a median age of 31.

Roebourne had the highest proportion of couple with children families (44%) as well as the highest proportion of children under 15 (26%).

The Shire of Leonora had the highest proportion of lone person households (26%).

More information can be found in Western Australian Statistical Indicators (cat. no. 1367.5).