CONSUMPTION


RETAIL TRADE

The May 2009 seasonally adjusted estimate for South Australia's retail turnover was $1,386.7m, while the estimate for Australia was $19,549.8m. South Australia's contribution to total retail turnover in Australia increased slightly from 7.0% in April 2009 to 7.1% in May 2009.

From April 2009, the increase in retail turnover for South Australia across all retail industries was 1.8%, while turnover for Australia increased by 1.0%.

Comparing May 2009 with May 2008, the South Australian industry groups with the largest percentage increases in retail turnover (in seasonally adjusted terms) were Clothing and soft good retailing, which rose by 22.9% to $77.0m, and Department stores, which rose by 12.2% to $134.9m.

No South Australian industry groups showed decreases in seasonally adjusted retail turnover when comparing May 2009 with May 2008.

NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SALES

In June 2009, 2,853 new passenger vehicles and 5,101 new vehicles in total (in seasonally adjusted terms) were sold in South Australia.

In Australia, 44,411 new passenger vehicles and 80,330 new vehicles in total (in seasonally adjusted terms) were sold in June 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.