CONSUMPTION


RETAIL TRADE

The October 2010 seasonally adjusted estimate for South Australia's retail turnover was $1,465.2m, a fall of 0.2% from the previous month ($1,468.0m), but 3.2% above the sales recorded in October of the previous year ($1,420.3m). Nationally, retail turnover fell for the first time in seven months to $20,232.5.5m in October 2010. This represents a decrease of 1.1% over the previous month but 2.2% above the sales recorded in October 2009 ($19,791.2m). South Australia's contribution to total retail turnover in Australia remained steady at 7.2%.

Comparing October 2010 with October 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 17.9% to $110.6m and Cafe, restaurants and takeaway food services, up 6.5% to $152.4m.

Department stores recorded the largest industry group decrease in turnover over this period, falling 3.2%.

NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SALES

Sales of new passenger vehicles in South Australia have fallen for the tenth consecutive month to 3,118 in October 2010. The latest fall represents a 0.9% drop from the September sales (3,146) and is 3.6% lower than sales in October 2009. Total new vehicles sales also fell 0.9% in October 2010 to 5,445.

In Australia, new passenger vehicle sales fell for the sixth consecutive month, down 0.7% from September 2010 (47,600 ) to 47,248 in October. This represents a 0.1% increase over new passenger vehicle sales in October 2009 (47,191). Total new vehicle sales fell 0.4% to 84,964 in October 2010.