MEDIA RELEASE
6 May 2013	Embargoed: 11.30 am (Canberra time)	73/2013

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Retail Trade figures show that Australian retail turnover fell 0.4 per cent in March 2013, seasonally adjusted, following a rise of 1.3 per cent in February 2013.

The largest contributor to the fall in March 2013 was clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (-4.2 per cent) followed by household goods retailing (-1.5 per cent), other retailing (-1.0 per cent) and department stores (-0.1 per cent). These falls were partially offset by rises in food retailing (0.8 per cent) and cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (0.2 per cent). Over the longer term, the largest contributor to growth was food retailing (up 0.5 per cent in trend terms).

The state which was the largest contributor to the fall was Queensland (-0.8 per cent) followed by Victoria (-0.6 per cent), New South Wales (-0.2 per cent) and the Australian Capital Territory (-0.8 per cent). These falls were partially offset by rises in Western Australia (0.2 per cent), South Australia (0.3 per cent) and the Northern Territory (0.8 per cent). Tasmania (0.0 per cent) was relatively unchanged. Over the longer term, New South Wales was the strongest contributor to growth (up 0.5 per cent in trend terms).

Through the year, Australian retail turnover rose 3.2 per cent in March 2013, seasonally adjusted, compared to March 2012.

The trend estimate for Australian retail turnover rose 0.4 per cent in March 2013. This follows a rise of 0.4 per cent in February 2013. Through the year, the trend estimate rose 3.3 per cent in March 2013 compared to March 2012.

In volume terms, turnover rose 2.2 per cent in the March quarter 2013, seasonally adjusted, following a rise of 0.1 per cent in the December quarter 2012.

More detailed industry analysis and further information on the statistical methodology is available in Retail Trade, Australia (cat no. 8501.0).

Media note:

• Please ensure when reporting on ABS data that you attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.
• For a detailed definition of each industry group and subgroup in terms of its ANZSIC 2006 classes, please refer to paragraph 6 of the Explanatory Notes.