Australian retail turnover grew by 0.3 per cent in January 2025, based on seasonally adjusted figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), hinting at a gradual recovery following the holiday season. Clothing, footwear, and personal accessories saw a rebound of 2.0 per cent after a 1.7 per cent decline in December, likely fueled by seasonal sales.
Department stores exhibited consistent growth at 0.6 per cent, reflecting steady consumer demand. On the other hand, household goods retailing faced a significant 4.4 per cent decline, which counterbalanced the gains in other segments. Notably, “other retailing” led the growth in January with a 2.4 per cent rise, showcasing strong demand for miscellaneous products, ABS noted in a press release.
“While the pick-up in retail spending since mid-2024 has been boosted by more discretionary spending, this month’s rise is mostly driven by food-related spending,” said Robert Ewing, head of business statistics at ABS.
Retail turnover increased across the majority of Australian states and territories, with the exception of New South Wales (-0.3 per cent) and the Northern Territory, which remained largely unchanged.
The overall retail sector had seen a -0.1 per cent decline in December 2024 and a 0.7 per cent increase in November 2024, indicating a dynamic yet resilient retail environment.
