CONSUMPTION


RETAIL TRADE

The October 2008 trend estimate for South Australia's retail turnover was $1,345.4m, while the estimate for Australia was $18,396.1m. South Australia's contribution to total retail turnover in Australia in October 2008 remained unchanged at 7.3%.

From September 2008, the increase in retail turnover for South Australia across all retail industries was 0.5%, while turnover for Australia grew by 0.2%. This represents the 14th consecutive month that retail turnover in South Australia has grown faster than the Australian rate. This is the longest period of outperformance since September 2002.

Comparing the September quarter 2008 with the September quarter 2007, the two South Australian industry groups with the largest percentage increases in retail turnover (in trend terms) were Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services, rising by 17.2% to $445.1m, and Food retailing, rising by 12.6% to $1,720.7m.

The only South Australian industry group to report a decrease in retail turnover was Clothing and soft good retailing, which decreased by 3.5% to $187.6m.

NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SALES

In October 2008, 3,118 new passenger vehicles and 5,220 new vehicles in total (in trend terms) were sold in South Australia. The trend estimate for total new vehicle sales in South Australia has continually decreased since March 2008.

In Australia, there were 47,117 new passenger vehicles sold in October 2008 and 80,030 new vehicles in total (in trend terms). The trend estimate for total new vehicle sales in Australia has continually decreased since January 2008.