Clothing & softgoods retail trend decline for four months

02 Mar '06

4 min read

Australian Bureau of Statistics released the new retail sales figures for January 2006.

In January 2006, all states had an increase in the trend estimate. The states with the largest increase in the trend estimate were the Australian Capital Territory (+0.6 percent), New South Wales, Tasmania and the Northern Territory (all +0.5 percent).

In original terms, Australian turnover decreased by 24.3 percent in January 2006 compared with December 2005. Chains and other large retailers (which are completely enumerated) decreased by 27.2 percent, while the estimate for 'smaller' retailers (the sampled units) decreased by 20.0 percent.

Australian turnover increased by 4.2 percent in January 2006 compared with January 2005. Chains and other large retailers increased by 4.3 percent, while 'smaller' retailers increased by 4.1 percent.

Total Retail - After five months of weak trend growth there was moderate trend growth in January 2006. Department stores and Clothing and soft good retailing have had no change or a decline in the trend estimate for four or more months, while Other retailing and Hospitality and services have had one and four months of strong growth respectively.

Department Stores - There has been a decline or no change in the trend estimate for 12 months. Victoria, Queensland and South Australia have had a decline in the trend estimate for at least five months. New South Wales had no change in January 2006 following nine monthsof decline.

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