CONSUMPTION


RETAIL TRADE

The August 2010 seasonally adjusted estimate for South Australia's retail turnover was $1,466.3m, a rise of 0.1% from the previous month ($1,465.0m), and 3.2% above the sales recorded in August of the previous year ($1,421.3m). Nationally, retail turnover rose for the sixth consecutive month to be $20,464.2m in August 2010. This represents an increase of 0.3% over the previous month and 3.8% over sales recorded in August of 2009 ($19,713.2m). South Australia's contribution to total retail turnover in Australia remained steady at 7.2%.

Comparing August 2010 with August 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 20.3% to $111.1m and Food retailing, up 4.9% to $597.5m.

Household goods retailing was the only South Australian industry group to record lower turnover over this period falling 3.4%.

NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SALES

In August 2010, 3,161 new passenger vehicles and 5,587 new vehicles in total (in trend terms*) were sold in South Australia.

In Australia, 48,054 new passenger vehicles and 85,683 new vehicles in total (in trend terms*) were sold in August 2010.

*RE-INTRODUCTION OF TREND ESTIMATES

The trend estimates have been re-introduced for all new motor vehicle sales. Unusual influences associated with the Global Financial Crisis were affecting the new motor vehicle sales series, but these effects can now be estimated with a sufficient level of accuracy. However, caution should still be used when interpreting the recent new motor vehicle sales trend estimates as they may still be affected further by unusual economic factors. For further details, please refer to paragraph 12 of the Explanatory Notes in Sales of New Motor Vehicles, Australia, Jun 2010 (cat. no. 9314.0).