August ABS retail sales are out and show a little improvement coming in 0.4% seasonally adjusted, driven largely by a rebound in department stores. Category details below.
FOOD RETAILING
In current prices, the trend estimate for Food retailing rose 0.1% in August 2013. The seasonally adjusted estimate rose 0.1%. By industry subgroup, the trend estimate rose for Supermarkets and grocery stores (0.1%), Liquor retailing (0.3%) and Other specialised food retailing (0.1%). The seasonally adjusted estimate rose for Other specialised food retailing (0.6%) and Liquor retailing (0.4%) and was relatively unchanged for Supermarkets and grocery stores (0.0%).
HOUSEHOLD GOODS RETAILING
In current prices, the trend estimate for Household goods rose 0.2% in August 2013. The seasonally adjusted estimate fell 0.6%. By industry subgroup, the trend estimate rose for Hardware, building and garden supplies retailing (0.6%) and Electrical and electronic goods retailing (0.2%) and fell for Furniture, floor coverings, houseware and textile goods retailing (-0.2%). The seasonally adjusted estimate fell for Electrical and electronic goods retailing (-1.3%) and Furniture, floor coverings, houseware and textile goods retailing (-0.7%) and rose for Hardware, building and garden supplies retailing (0.4%).
CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND PERSONAL ACCESSORY RETAILING
In current prices, the trend estimate for Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing rose 0.5% in August 2013. The seasonally adjusted estimate rose 0.3%. By industry subgroup, the trend estimate rose for Clothing retailing (0.6%) and Footwear and other personal accessory retailing (0.3%). The seasonally adjusted estimate rose for Clothing retailing (0.5%) and was relatively unchanged for Footwear and other personal accessory retailing (0.0%).
DEPARTMENT STORES
In current prices, the trend estimate for Department stores fell 0.9% in August 2013. The seasonally adjusted estimate rose 6.4%.
OTHER RETAILING
In current prices, the trend estimate for Other retailing fell 0.3% in August 2013. The seasonally adjusted estimate fell 0.2%. By industry subgroup, the trend estimate fell for Newspaper and book retailing (-1.5%), Pharmaceutical, cosmetic and toiletry goods retailing (-0.3%) and Other recreational goods retailing (-0.1%) and was relatively unchanged for Other retailing n.e.c. (0.0%). The seasonally adjusted estimate fell for Other retailing n.e.c. (-2.6%), was relatively unchanged for Pharmaceutical, cosmetic and toiletry goods retailing (0.0%) and rose for Other recreational goods retailing (4.6%) and Newspaper and book retailing (1.4%).
CAFES, RESTAURANTS AND TAKEAWAY FOOD SERVICES
In current prices, the trend estimate for Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services rose 0.2% in August 2013. The seasonally adjusted estimate rose 0.4%. By industry subgroup, the trend estimate rose for Takeaway food services (0.2%) and Cafes, restaurants and catering services (0.1%). The seasonally adjusted estimate rose for Takeaway food services (1.1%) and fell for Cafes, restaurants and catering services (-0.2%).
