Retail sales fall 4.4% but remain at elevated levels

Australian retail turnover fell 4.4 per cent in December 2021, seasonally adjusted, according to the Retail Trade figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). 

The December result follows consecutive rises of 7.3 per cent in November 2021, 4.9 per cent in October 2021, and 1.3 per cent in September 2021.

Ben James, Director of Quarterly Economy Wide Statistics, said the 4.4 per cent fall is the largest monthly fall since April 2020. However, retail sales remain elevated compared to pre pandemic levels, with December’s monthly turnover the second highest level in the series following last month’s record.

“Despite this month’s fall, retail turnover remains strong, up 4.8 per cent on December 2020, with strong consumer spending continuing post the Delta Outbreak,” Mr James said. “Victoria recorded the largest fall of any state or territory, down 8.4 per cent, however this only partly unwinds the state’s strong rise in November when it rose to a record level. Victorian turnover is now at the third highest level ever, 6.5 per cent above December 2020.”

Sales across all other states and territories fell this month except for the Northern Territory, which rose 3.6 per cent as lockdown restrictions eased and the introduction of lockouts allowed more favourable trading conditions for businesses. New South Wales had the second largest fall this month, down 4.2 per cent, followed by Western Australia (-3.5 per cent), South Australia (-4.1 per cent), and Queensland (-0.7 per cent).

Five of six retail industries fell in December, led by household goods retailing (-9.2 per cent), clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (-17.3 per cent), department stores (-21.3 per cent), other retailing (-4.0 per cent), and cafes, restaurants, and takeaway food services (-0.7 per cent). The falls in each of these industries follows rises in both October and November.

Food retailing, including supermarkets, liquor etc, was the only industry to rise this month, up 2.2 per cent.

Despite falls for most retail industries this month, spending on retail goods remains elevated compared to December 2020 for all retail industries except for Department stores, down 9.0 per cent. Softer trading conditions emerged late in the month with consumers becoming more cautious, holding back spending as Omicron cases rapidly rose around the country.  

As per the new release schedule of the Retail Trade, Australia publication, additional information on the December reference period will be released on 7 February 2022, including December quarter 2021 data. Please see survey impacts and changes for further information.

More detailed industry and state analysis and further information on the statistical methodology is available in Retail Trade, Australia (cat no. 8501.0).

The ABS thanks all those who contributed data to this release. Further ABS data measuring the impact of COVID-19 on Australia can be found on the ABS website.