CONSUMPTION


RETAIL TRADE

In keeping with the pattern of this series, the increase of 3.6% in South Australian retail sales in January 2010 has been followed by a fall of 1.7% in February. The February retail sales estimate of $1,427.8m was 2.3% below the high of $1,460.9m recorded in November 2009, but 2.5% above the sales reached in February 2009 ($1,393.4m). Nationally, retail turnover fell 1.4% to $19,827.6m in February 2010. South Australia's contribution to total retail turnover in Australia remained steady at 7.2%.

Comparing February 2010 with February 2009, the South Australian industry groups with the largest percentage increases in retail turnover (in seasonally adjusted terms) were Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing, up 20.0% to $101.2m, and Other retailing, up 7.7% to $215.9m.

Household goods retailing and Food retailing were the only South Australian industry groups to record lower turnover over this period, falling 3.8% and 0.3% respectively.

NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SALES

In February 2010, 3,180 new passenger vehicles and 5,410 new vehicles in total (in seasonally adjusted terms) were sold in South Australia.

In Australia, 48,832 new passenger vehicles and 85,035 new vehicles in total (in seasonally adjusted terms) were sold in February 2010.

Note: Suspension of Trend Estimates

Following the Federal Government Budget in May 2009, the eligibility period for the Small Business and General Business Tax Break was extended to December 2009. The rebate level was also increased for small businesses, allowing eligible businesses to claim an increased tax deduction on the purchase of new motor vehicles.

The trend series attempts to measure the underlying behaviour in new motor vehicle sales. In the short term, this measurement may be significantly affected by unusual influences in the original and seasonally adjusted data, like those observed in May and June 2009. If the trend estimates in the publication were to be calculated without fully accounting for this irregular event, they would be likely to provide a misleading view of the underlying trend in new motor vehicle sales activity.

The new motor vehicle sales trend series has therefore been suspended from May 2009. The trend series will be reintroduced when more certainty emerges in the underlying behaviour of new car sales.