CONSUMPTION


RETAIL TRADE

Note: New Classification

From the July 2009 issue of Retail Trade, Australia (cat. no. 8501.0), the series presented in the publication have been compiled and presented according to a revised industry classification, the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC) 2006 (cat. no. 1292.0). Previous issues of the publication were based on Australian New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC) 1993 (cat. no. 1292.0)

The article Changes in Monthly Retail Trade Statistics in the July issue of the publication provided information on the scope of Retail trade statistics under ANZSIC 2006 and the impact on time series and seasonal adjustment.

Further information can also be found in the Information Paper: ANZSIC 2006 Implementation in Retail Trade Statistics, July 2009 (cat. no. 8501.0.55.006).

The September 2009 seasonally adjusted estimate for South Australia's retail turnover was $1,416.0m, a decrease of 0.6% over the previous month. Nationally retail turnover fell slightly (0.2%) to $19,719.2m over the same period. South Australia's contribution to total retail turnover in Australia was 7.2%.

Comparing September 2009 with September 2008, three industry groups recorded increases in retail turnover (in seasonally adjusted terms) in South Australia: Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing rose 13.9% to $93.0m; Other retailing rose 6.0% to $212.3m; and Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services rose 5.8% to $147.6m.

Over the same period, all other industry groups recorded a decline with the largest occurring in Household goods retailing which fell 1.7%.

NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SALES

In September 2009, 3,140 new passenger vehicles and 5,135 new vehicles in total (in seasonally adjusted terms) were sold in South Australia.

In Australia, 46,186 new passenger vehicles and 77,744 new vehicles in total (in seasonally adjusted terms) were sold in September 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.