1345.4 - SA Stats, Feb 2010  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 23/02/2010   
   Page tools: Print Print Page Print all pages in this productPrint All

CONSUMPTION


RETAIL TRADE

After leading the nation in sales growth in November 2009, South Australia recorded the largest fall in sales in December, falling 3.7% to $1,405.2m (in seasonally adjusted terms). Nationally, retail turnover fell 0.7% to $19,925.3m in December 2009. South Australia's contribution to total retail turnover in Australia fell slightly to 7.1%.

RETAIL TURNOVER, Seasonally adjusted, South Australia
Graph: RETAIL TURNOVER, Seasonally adjusted, South Australia


Comparing December 2009 with December 2008, the South Australian industry groups with the largest percentage decreases in retail turnover (in seasonally adjusted terms) were Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing, which fell 15.6% to $75.9m, and Department stores, which fell 9.9% to $117.9m.

Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services and Other retailing were the only South Australian industry groups to record an increase in turnover over this period, rising 3.8% and 3.2% respectively.

RETAIL TURNOVER, Seasonally adjusted, Change from December 2008 to December 2009 - South Australia
Graph: RETAIL TURNOVER, Seasonally adjusted, Change from December 2008 to December 2009—South Australia



NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SALES

In December 2009, 3,330 new passenger vehicles and 6,013 new vehicles in total (in seasonally adjusted terms) were sold in South Australia.

In Australia, 46,770 new passenger vehicles and 89,741 new vehicles in total (in seasonally adjusted terms) were sold in December 2009.

NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SALES, South Australia
Graph: NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SALES, South Australia


Note: Suspension of Trend Estimates

Following the Federal Government Budget in May 2009, the eligibility period for the Small Business and General Business Tax Break was extended to December 2009. The rebate level was also increased for small businesses, allowing eligible businesses to claim an increased tax deduction on the purchase of new motor vehicles.

The trend series attempts to measure the underlying behaviour in new motor vehicle sales. In the short term, this measurement may be significantly affected by unusual influences in the original and seasonally adjusted data, like those observed in May and June 2009. If the trend estimates in the publication were to be calculated without fully accounting for this irregular event, they would be likely to provide a misleading view of the underlying trend in new motor vehicle sales activity.

The new motor vehicle sales trend series has therefore been suspended from May 2009. The trend series will be reintroduced when more certainty emerges in the underlying behaviour of new car sales.