On 3 April 2019, the Australian Bureau of Statistics released an update on Retail Sales Figures for February 2019. As per the release, retail sales under seasonally adjusted estimate stood at $27,267.3 million, and under trend estimate at $27,175.6 million. In seasonally adjusted terms, the sale improved by 0.8% in February 2019, as compared to the previous month, whereas in trend terms the sale improved by 0.2% for the same period.
In January 2019 and December 2018, the sale improved by 0.2% in both the months on trend terms, whereas under seasonally adjusted terms, it rose by 0.1% in January 2019, and fell by 0.4% in December 2018. The Australian turnover increased by 2.9% in February 2019 as compared to February 2018 on trend terms.
The Australian turnover as per original estimate fell by around 10.1% in February 2019, under which the estimate for chains and other larger retailers fell by 11.6% in February 2019, whereas the estimate for smaller retailers fell by 6.5% in February 2019.
As per state-wise, under trend terms, retail sales increased in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory by 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.2%, 0.3%, and 0.1%, respectively. It remain unchanged in South Australia, whereas it decreased in Tasmania and the Northern Territory by 0.2% each in February 2019. Under the seasonally adjusted terms, retail sales increased in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory by 1.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, 0.6%, 0.7%, 1.7%, and 1.4%, respectively. It declined in Tasmania by 0.7% in February 2019.
As per the industry basis, under trend estimate food retailing rose by 0.4%. In sub-group, supermarket and grocery stores, other specialised food retailing, and liquor retailing increased by 0.4%, 0.2%, and 0.1%, respectively in February 2019. Under seasonally adjusted estimate, food retailing rose by 0.8%. In sub-group, supermarket and grocery stores, and other specialised food retailing increased by 0.8% and 1.8%, respectively. It remain unchanged for liquor retailing in February 2019.
Under trend estimate, household goods retailing fell by 0.2%. In sub-group, furniture, floor coverings, houseware and textile goods retailing fell by 1.1%; electrical and electronic goods retailing fell by 0.2%; and hardware, building and garden supplies retailing rose by 0.6%. Under seasonally adjusted estimate, electrical and electronic goods retailing rose by 1.2%; furniture, floor coverings, houseware and textile goods retailing rose by 1.5%; and hardware, building and garden supplies retailing rose by 0.7% in February 2019.
Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing remain unchanged under trend estimate. In sub-group, footwear and other personal accessory retailing rose by 0.3%; clothing retailing fell by 0.1%. Under seasonally adjusted estimate, clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing rose by 1.6%. In sub-group, footwear and other personal accessory retailing rose by 2.5%, and clothing retailing rose by 1.2% in February 2019.
Department stores sale fell by 0.2% under trend terms and rose by 3.5% under seasonally adjusted terms.
Under trend terms, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and toiletry goods retailing rose by 0.4%; newspaper and book retailing fell by 0.8%, and other recreational goods retailing fell by 0.4%. Under seasonally adjusted terms, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and toiletry goods retailing fell by 0.1%; newspaper and book retailing fell by 4.4%; and other recreational goods retailing fell by 2.5%.
Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services under trend estimate rose by 0.2%. In sub-group, cafes, restaurants and catering services rose by 0.2%; and takeaway food services rose by 0.2%. Under seasonally adjusted estimate, cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services remain unchanged. In sub-group, takeaway food services rose by 0.7%; and cafes, restaurants and catering services fell by 0.5% in February 2019.
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