CONSUMPTION


RETAIL TRADE

The May 2010 seasonally adjusted estimate for South Australia's retail turnover was $1,476.6m. This represents a slight fall (0.9%) from the high recorded the previous month ($1,489.7m), but is 1.8% above sales recorded in May of the previous year ($1,450.0m). Nationally retail turnover rose to $20,155.5m in May 2010; an increase of 0.2% over the high recorded in the previous month and 1.2% above sales in May of the previous year ($19,920.3m). South Australia's contribution to total retail turnover in Australia decreased slightly to 7.3%.

Comparing May 2010 with May 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 17.8% to $111.8m and Food retailing, up 3.7% to $595.2m.

Department stores and Household goods retailing were the only South Australian industry groups to record lower turnover over this period, falling 7.1% and 1.8% respectively.

NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SALES

In May 2010, 3,289 new passenger vehicles and 5,585 new vehicles in total (in seasonally adjusted terms) were sold in South Australia.

In Australia, 51,790 new passenger vehicles and 88,484 new vehicles in total (in seasonally adjusted terms) were sold in May 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.