CONSUMPTION AND INVESTMENT

Retail Trade
New Motor Vehicle Sales
Private New Capital Expenditure

RETAIL TRADE

The May 2008 trend estimate for Queensland's retail turnover was $4,186.7 million, a 4.8% increase since May 2007. Food retailing accounted for 41% of total retail turnover in May 2008 and Hospitality and service industries turnover contributed 17%.

In the twelve months to May 2008, the industry groups with the largest percentage increases in retail turnover (trend) were Recreational goods rising 29% to $178.5 million and Other retailing which increased 16% to $402.8 million. Decreases in total turnover were experienced in Clothing and soft good retailing (-16% to $209.1 million) and Hospitality and service industries (-4.4% to $717.1 million).

Further information about this topic can be accessed at Retail Trade, Australia (cat. no. 8501.0) or ring the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070. This publication is released monthly.

NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SALES

In trend terms, 9,844 new passenger vehicles and 18,993 vehicles in total were sold in May 2008 in Queensland. Corresponding sales for Australia were 51,754 and 88,603. When comparing May 2008 with April 2008, Queensland recorded the largest decrease in total vehicle sales of all states and territories at -1.3%.

In May 1998, new passenger vehicle sales accounted for 67% of total new vehicle sales in Queensland. By May 2008, the proportion of new passenger vehicle sales had fallen to 52%.

Further information about new motor vehicle sales can be accessed from Sales of New Motor Vehicles, Australia (cat no. 9314.0) or ring the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070. This publication is released monthly.

PRIVATE NEW CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

Between the December 2007 and the March 2008 quarters, the Queensland chain volume trend estimate of private new capital expenditure increased marginally by 2.8% to $4,273 million.

During the same period, expenditure on Equipment, plant and machinery increased by 2.1% to $2,770 million while expenditure on Buildings and structures increased by 3.9% to $1,503 million.

Comparing the March 2008 quarter with the March 2007 quarter, Queensland's total private new capital expenditure increased by 11%. Expenditure on Equipment, plant and machinery grew by 8.9% and expenditure on Buildings and structures increased by 14%.

Further information on this topic can be accessed at Private New Capital Expenditure and Expected Expenditure, Australia (cat. no. 5625.0) or ring the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070. This publication is released quarterly.