The latest ABS Retail Trade figures show that Australian retail turnover rose 1.2 per cent in September 2014, seasonally adjusted, following a rise of 0.1 per cent in August 2014.
In seasonally adjusted terms the largest contributor to the rise was household goods retailing (4.1 per cent), where electrical and electronic goods retailing recorded growth (9.2 per cent). This figure was influenced by the release of the iPhone 6 during the month. The increase in electrical and electronic goods retailing represents about half of the total Australian sales movement of 1.2 per cent in seasonally adjusted terms.
Other industries that experienced rises were cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (2.0 per cent), food retailing (0.4 per cent), department stores (1.3 per cent) and clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (0.4 per cent). This was partially offset by a fall in other retailing (-0.2 per cent).
In seasonally adjusted terms the states that displayed rises were New South Wales (1.7 per cent), Victoria (1.3 per cent), Western Australia (1.3 per cent), Queensland (0.4 per cent), South Australia (1.2 per cent), the Australian Capital Territory (1.9 per cent) and Tasmania (0.8 per cent). This was partially offset by a fall in the Northern Territory (-0.6 per cent).
Through the year, Australian retail turnover rose 5.7 per cent in September 2014, seasonally adjusted, compared to September 2013.
The trend estimate for Australian retail turnover rose 0.3 per cent in September 2014. This followed a 0.3 per cent rise in August 2014. Through the year, the trend estimate rose 5.0 per cent in September 2014 compared to September 2013.
In volume terms, turnover rose 1.0 per cent in the September quarter 2014, seasonally adjusted, following a fall of 0.1 per cent in the June quarter 2014.
Online retail turnover contributed 2.8 per cent to total retail turnover in original terms.