Retail sales hold steady in February as consumers flock to cafes, bars
Retail sales held steady in February, according to fresh figures, with food-related spending driving the small lift.
The 0.2 per cent rise in retail turnover in February followed similar gains in January and December, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Tuesday.
The February result was short of the consensus forecast for a rise of 0.3 per cent.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Turnover was up in most States and Territories, led by WA (up 0.8 per cent), which had its seventh-straight monthly rise, and NSW (up 0.5 per cent).
“Retail spending in February remains steady, with mixed results across the industries,” ABS head of business statistics Robert Ewing said.
“Like the January month, it was food-related spending which drove the rise in retail turnover this month.”
Spending in the non-food industries was mixed. Other retailing fell one per cent having posted the biggest lift in January.
Household goods retailing also dropped for a second straight month.
“Following promotion-based growth across the December quarter, spending on household goods continued to moderate with lower discretionary spending to begin the year,” Mr Ewing said.
This was partly offset by spending growth in department stores (up 1.5 per cent) and clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (up 0.4 per cent).
