CONSUMPTION


RETAIL TRADE

In seasonally adjusted terms, retail turnover in South Australia has remained relatively stable over the last two months with a turnover of $1,414.7m recorded in October 2009. Nationally, retail turnover rose slightly (0.3%) to $19,750.7m in October 2009. South Australia's contribution to total retail turnover in Australia was 7.2%.

Comparing October 2009 with October 2008, the industry groups with the largest percentage increases in retail turnover (in seasonally adjusted terms) in South Australia were Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing which rose 11.8% to $91.4m; and Other retailing which rose 5.6% to $211.6m.

Over the same period, Food retailing and Household goods retailing were the only industry groups to record a decline in South Australia, falling 0.9% and 0.1%, respectively.

NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SALES

In October 2009, 3,200 new passenger vehicles and 5,475 new vehicles in total (in seasonally adjusted terms) were sold in South Australia.

In Australia, 46,892 new passenger vehicles and 81,122 new vehicles in total (in seasonally adjusted terms) were sold in October 2009.

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.