ABS July 2014 retail trade figures released

 

Peak retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) said the seasonally adjusted rise (0.4 percent increase) in monthly retail trade figures (month-on-month) reported today by the ABS followed a 0.6 percent rise in June 2014.

Year on year retail growth also rose 5.8 percent in July 2014, seasonally adjusted, compared to July 2013.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said that after an unseasonably warm start to winter and post-Federal Budget drop in consumer confidence, retailers saw only a slight upswing in sales in July - largely thanks to the change in weather and last-minute EOFY sales.

“Winter had well and truly arrived in July and it’s no surprise department stores experienced an increase in sales (1.9%), with many consumers heading to their local department store to stock up on much-needed items to get through the cooler months. 

“It’s interesting to note that cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services also benefitted from the change the season (1.4% increase) as well as food retailing (0.5% increase). As we all know, during winter consumers often choose to keep warm at their local restaurant or order takeaways with their friends and family. Food retailing often enjoys a boost in sales at this time of year as the outside weather can deter consumers from other activities.

“Some other categories including clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (0.1%) and household good retailing (-0.2%) remained relatively flat in July, and according to the Australian Retail Index (delivered by BDO and Retail Express), stagnant retail sales in July mirrored similar results seen this time last year.

“Overall, turnover rose in New South Wales (0.7%), Victoria (0.6%), the Australian Capital Territory (2.6%), South Australia (0.4%) and Queensland (0.1%). These rises were partially offset by falls in the Northern Territory (-2.3%), Western Australia (-0.1%) and Tasmania (-0.4%).

“With the festive season right around the corner, the ARA is urging the Federal Government and RBA to do all that they can to ensure that retail trade is fully supported as we gear up toward the spring/summer racing season and the Christmas trading period,” Mr Zimmerman said. 

MONTHLY RETAIL GROWTH (June 2014 – July 2014 seasonally adjusted)

Department stores (1.9%), Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (1.4%), Food retailing (0.5%),  Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (0.1%), Household goods retailing (-0.2%) and Other retailing (-0.6%). Total sales (0.4%).

Australian Capital Territory (2.6%). New South Wales (0.7%), Victoria (0.6%), South Australia (0.4%), Queensland (0.1%), Western Australia (-0.1%), Tasmania (-0.4) and Northern Territory (-2.3%). Total sales (0.4%).

YEAR-ON-YEAR RETAIL GROWTH (July  2013 – July 2014 seasonally adjusted)

Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (10.8%), Department stores (8.2%), Food retailing (5.5%), Household goods retailing (5.3%), Other retailing (3.6%) and Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (2.1%) .Total sales (5.8%).

New South Wales (9.7%), Tasmania (7.9%), Victoria (6.4%), Queensland (3.4%), South Australia (2.1%), Northern Territory (2.0%), Western Australia (1.8%) and Australian Capital Territory (0.6%). Total sales (5.8%).

Since 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body representing Australia’s $265 billion retail sector, which employs over 1.2 million people. The ARA ensures retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia.

Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.