MEDIA RELEASE
4 November 2013	Embargoed: 11.30 am (Canberra time)	187/2013

The latest ABS Retail Trade figures show that Australian retail turnover rose 0.8 per cent in September 2013, seasonally adjusted, following a rise of 0.5 per cent in August 2013.

Turnover rose in other retailing (1.6 per cent), department stores (2.8 per cent), clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (2.5 per cent), food retailing (0.4 per cent) and cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (0.6 per cent). These rises were partially offset by a fall in household goods retailing (-0.4 per cent). Over the longer term, clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing is the strongest contributor to growth (up 1.3 per cent in trend terms).

Turnover rose in New South Wales (1.0 per cent), Victoria (1.0 per cent), Queensland (0.8 per cent), South Australia (0.7 per cent), Tasmania (0.7 per cent), the Australian Capital Territory (0.7 per cent) and the Northern Territory (0.7 per cent). These rises were partially offset by a fall in Western Australia (-0.2 per cent). Over the longer term, Victoria was the strongest contributor to growth (up 0.5 per cent in trend terms).

Through the year, Australian retail turnover rose 2.9 per cent in September 2013, seasonally adjusted, compared to September 2012.

The trend estimate for Australian retail turnover rose 0.3 per cent in September 2013. This follows a 0.3 per cent rise in August 2013. Through the year, the trend estimate rose 2.6 per cent in September 2013 compared to September 2012.

In volume terms, turnover rose 0.7 per cent in the September quarter 2013, seasonally adjusted, following a fall of 0.1 per cent in the June quarter 2013.

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.