CONSUMPTION


RETAIL TRADE

The July 2010 seasonally adjusted estimate for South Australia's retail turnover was $1,466.5m, a rise of 0.3% from the previous month ($1,461.7m), and 3.7% above the sales recorded in July of the previous year ($1,413.9m). Nationally retail turnover rose for the fifth consecutive month to be $20,400.2m in July 2010. This represents an increase of 0.7% over the previous month and 4.0% over sales recorded in July of 2009 ($19,617.0m). South Australia's contribution to total retail turnover in Australia remained steady at 7.2%.

Comparing July 2010 with July 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 21.5% to $110.5m and Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services, up 10.7% to $154.7m.

Household goods retailing was the only South Australian industry group to record lower turnover over this period falling 6.8%.

NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SALES

In July 2010, 3,208 new passenger vehicles and 5,658 new vehicles in total (in trend terms*) were sold in South Australia.

In Australia, 49,192 new passenger vehicles and 85,019 new vehicles in total (in trend terms*) were sold in July 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).