Australian retail turnover generally was relatively unchanged in June 2013, but turnover for food retail and foodservice sectors rose, according to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Retail Trade figures.
The flat retail turnover figures for June 2013 come after a rise of 0.2 per cent in May 2013, according to the ABS.
The ABS figures are consistent with the recent publication of the AFGC CHEP Retail Index recently reported by Australian Food News.
Food retailing
The latest ABS figures showed that in current prices the trend estimate for food retailing rose 0.2 per cent in June 2013, and the seasonally adjusted estimate rose 0.1 per cent.
The trend estimate for supermarkets and grocery stores rose 0.1 per cent, and 0.7 per cent for other specialised food retailing. The trend estimate for liquor retailing fell 0.2 per cent.
The seasonally adjusted estimate for liquor retailing, however, rose 0.6 per cent. For supermarket and grocery stores, the seasonally adjusted estimate rose 0.1 per cent and fell 0.6 per cent for other specialised food retailing.
The ABS said that over the longer term, food retailing remains the strongest contributor to growth.
Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services
According to the latest ABS figures, in current prices the trend estimate for cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services rose 0.4 per cent in June 2013. The seasonally adjusted estimate rose 0.9 per cent.
By industry subgroup, the trend estimate rose 0.4 per cent for takeaway food and 0.2 per cent for cafes, restaurants and catering services. The seasonally adjusted estimate rose 0.9 per cent for cafes, restaurants and catering services, and 0.9 per cent for takeaway food services.
General retail figures
The rise in retail figures for food retail and foodservice sectors was mirrored by a rise in household goods retailing (0.3 per cent). But these rises were offset by falls in other retailing (-1.1 per cent) and clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (-0.2 per cent). Department stores was relatively unchanged (0 per cent).
Throughout the year, the ABS said Australian retail turnover rose 1.1 per cent in June 2013, seasonally adjusted, compared to June 2012.
The trend estimate for Australian retail turnover rose 0.1 per cent in June 2013. This followed a 0.1 per cent rise in May 2013. Throughout the year, the trend estimate rose 2.1 per cent in June 2013 compared to June 2012.
In volume terms, turnover was relatively unchanged (0 per cent) in the June quarter 2013, seasonally adjusted, following a rise of 2 per cent in the March quarter 2013, according to the ABS figures.
Retail turnover by State
According to the latest ABS figures, turnover rose in 0.1 per cent in Victoria, 1.3 per cent in the Australian Capital Territory, 0.3 per cent in South Australia, and 0.1 per cent in Queensland. These rises were offset by a fall of 0.4 per cent in Western Australia, 0.4 per cent in the Northern Territory and 0.1 per cent in Tasmania. New South Wales remained relatively unchanged (0 per cent).
Over the longer term, the ABS said New South Wales remained the strongest contributor to growth (up 0.2 per cent in trend terms).
