1367.5 - Western Australian Statistical Indicators, Mar 2007  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 04/04/2007   
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Image: Consumption CONSUMPTION


RETAIL TRADE

Retail turnover in Western Australia rose by 3.1% ($183 million) in trend terms in the three months to January 2007, compared to the previous three month period. The increase was marginally higher than the 3.0% rise in the three months to October 2006. Nationally, retail turnover was higher by 1.3% in the three months to January 2007, following an increase of 1.4% in the previous three month period.

MONTHLY RETAIL TURNOVER, Current prices
Graph: Monthly Retail Turnover, Current Prices



The major industry groups driving Western Australia's retail turnover (trend) in the three months to January 2007 (compared to the three months to October 2006) were food retailing (up $62 million or 2.6%), other retailing (including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, toiletries, antiques and used goods, garden supplies, flowers, watches and jewellery) (up $42 million or 7.9%), and hospitality and services ($37 million or 5.0%).


NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SALES

Sales of new motor vehicles have increased in Western Australia over the last thirteen months, from 8,711 vehicles in January 2006 to 10,019 vehicles in February 2007 in trend terms - the first time monthly vehicle sales have surpassed 10,000 in Western Australia. Over half of the growth over this period can be attributed to increased sales of passenger vehicles (51.7%), with sports utility vehicles (30.4%) and other vehicles (17.9%) accounting for the rest.

NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SALES
Graph: New Motor Vehicle Sales



Over the three months to February 2007, Western Australia's new motor vehicle sales rose by 2.7% (796 vehicles) to 29,791 vehicles in trend terms, compared to the previous three month period. Sports utility vehicles recorded the largest increase over this period, rising by 313 vehicles (5.3%), while strong gains were also recorded for passenger vehicles (up 301 vehicles or 1.8%) and other vehicles (up 182 vehicles or 2.8%). Other vehicles comprise utilities, vans, trucks and buses.