WASI
Western Australian Statistical Indicators
(cat. no. 1367.5)

The retail industry employs more workers (150,000) than any other industry in WA and accounts for around 5% ($6 billion) of Gross State Product (GSP) each year.

Over the 10 years to 2006-07, strong economic growth in WA helped fuel household spending in the state. Much of the household spending, which rose 52% ($19 billion), between 1996–97 and 2006–07, was directed toward the retail industry.

Of the six Australian states, WA recorded the equal second highest rate of increase in retail turnover along with Victoria (61%) while Queensland (72%) had the greatest proportionate rise. In 2006–07, WA’s retail spending was mainly on food (39%), household goods (19%) and hospitality and services (14%), similar to spending in 1996–97.

WA accounted for 10% ($34 billion) of the total income generated by the Australian retail industry in 2005–06, in line with WA’s share of the Australian population. WA’s retail industry made an operating profit of $1.7 billion, before tax, in 2005–06, accounting for 13% of Australia’s retail industry profits.

There were 27,000 businesses operating in WA’s retail industry in 2006–07, 4% (1,100) more than in 2003–04. This growth rate was the second highest among the states behind Queensland with 6% (2,900).

More than half (52% or 14,040) of the businesses operating in WA’s retail industry in 2006–07 were small businesses (1–19 employed persons). This proportion was similar to the proportions for the other states. All states recorded increased numbers of small retail businesses between 2003–04 and 2006-07 with WA (40% to 52%), having narrowly the highest proportionate increase.





Between 1996–97 and 2006–07, retail industry employment grew by nearly 23% (28,400) in WA, higher than the national rise of 21% and second behind Queensland with a 34% increase.

In 2006–07, there were approximately 14,400 more females (84,400) employed in WA’s retail industry than males (70,000). Female employment grew 33% (21,000) between 1996–97 and 2006–07, almost three times the rate of male employment (up 12% or 7,000).

In 2006–07, there were almost as many part-time workers (74,400) in WA’s retail industry as full-time workers (80,200). Part-time workers (up 34% or 18,800) have increased almost two and half times the rate of full-time workers (up 14% or 9,800) since 1996–97.

For further information, please call Trevor Draper on (08) 9360 5394.