MEDIA RELEASE
3 December 2013	Embargoed: 11.30 am (Canberra time)	216/2013

The latest ABS Retail Trade figures show that Australian retail turnover rose 0.5 per cent in October 2013, seasonally adjusted, following a rise of 0.9 per cent in September 2013.

Turnover rose in food retailing (0.5 per cent), cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (1.2 per cent), other retailing (0.5 per cent) and clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (0.6 per cent).These rises were partially offset by a fall in department stores (-0.3 per cent). Household goods retailing was relatively unchanged (0.0 per cent). Over the longer term food retailing is the strongest contributor to growth (up 0.4 per cent in trend terms).

Turnover rose in New South Wales (0.7 per cent), Victoria (0.3 per cent), Queensland (0.4 per cent), Western Australia (0.6 per cent), Tasmania (1.3 per cent) and the Australian Capital Territory (1.4 per cent). These rises were partially offset by falls in South Australia (-0.3 per cent) and the Northern Territory (-1.1 per cent). Over the longer term, Victoria was the strongest contributor to growth (up 0.6 per cent in trend terms).

Through the year, Australian retail turnover rose 3.6 per cent in October 2013, seasonally adjusted, compared to October 2012.

The trend estimate for Australian retail turnover rose 0.4 per cent in October 2013. This follows a 0.4 per cent rise in September 2013. Through the year, the trend estimate rose 3.4 per cent in October 2013 compared to October 2012.

More detailed industry analysis and further information on the statistical methodology is available in Retail Trade, Australia (cat no. 8501.0). The October 2013 issue also contains important information about changes to the sample design and methodology of the Retail Business Survey.

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.