Sydney Australia skyline

Australia Retail March 2019

Australia: March’s tepid growth in retail sales casts a shadow on consumer spending in Q1

Nominal retail sales in March rose 0.3% over the previous month in seasonally-adjusted terms, following February’s revised 0.9% jump (previously reported: +0.8 month-on-month), which had marked the strongest expansion in over a year. This was marginally above market expectations of a milder 0.2% increase. March’s soft reading implies that retail sales in inflation-adjusted terms fell 0.1% in the first quarter as a whole, which spell troubles for the performance of consumer spending—which accounts for almost 60% of GDP—in Q1.

March’s increase came on the back of higher sales in clothing, footwear and personal accessory; cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services; and food retailing. Meanwhile, sales in department stores as well as other retailing contracted.

In annual terms, retail sales expanded 1.7% in March, notably down from February’s 3.2% increase. Meanwhile, annual average growth in retail sales declined to 2.8% from February’s 3.1%.

Free sample report

Access essential information in the shortest time possible. FocusEconomics provide hundreds of consensus forecast reports from the most reputable economic research authorities in the world.
Close Left Media Arrows Left Media Circles Right Media Arrows Right Media Circles Arrow Quote Wave Address Email Telephone Man in front of screen with line chart Document with bar chart and magnifying glass Application window with bar chart Target with arrow Line Chart Stopwatch Globe with arrows Document with bar chart in front of screen Bar chart with magnifying glass and dollar sign Lightbulb Document with bookmark Laptop with download icon Calendar Icon Nav Menu Arrow Arrow Right Long Icon Arrow Right Icon Chevron Right Icon Chevron Left Icon Briefcase Icon Linkedin In Icon Full Linkedin Icon Filter Facebook Linkedin Twitter Pinterest