The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released data showing a lift in retail sales for a second consecutive month.

 

The latest ABS Retail Trade figures show that Australian retail turnover rose 0.6% in August 2011, seasonally adjusted, following a rise of 0.6% the previous month.

 

Turnover rose in Household goods retailing (1.7%), Food retailing (0.6%), Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (1.2%) and Other retailing (0.3%). Turnover fell in Department stores (-0.8%) and Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (-0.3%).

 

Turnover rose in New South Wales (1.0%), Queensland (0.5%), Western Australia (0.9%), Victoria (0.3%), South Australia (0.6%), Tasmania (0.8%) and the Australian Capital Territory (0.3%). The Northern Territory (0.0%) was relatively unchanged.

 

Trend turnover rose 0.2% in August 2011. This follows a rise of 0.2% in July 2011 and a rise of 0.2% in June 2011. Trend turnover rose 1.8% in August 2011 compared with August 2010.

 

More detailed industry analysis and further information on the statistical methodology is available in Retail Trade, Australia