5 October 2017	MEDIA RELEASE	123/2017
	Embargoed: 11.30 am (Canberra time)

Australian retail turnover fell 0.6 per cent in August 2017, seasonally adjusted, according to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Retail Trade figures. This follows a fall of 0.2 per cent in July 2017.

In seasonally adjusted terms, there were falls in food retailing (-0.6 per cent), cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (-1.3 per cent), household goods retailing (-1.0 per cent) and clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (-0.2 per cent). There were rises in department stores (0.7 per cent) and other retailing (0.1 per cent) in August 2017.

In seasonally adjusted terms, there were falls in all states and territories. "Victoria (-0.8 per cent) and Queensland (-0.8 per cent) led the falls," said Ben James, Director of Quarterly Economy Wide surveys.

"There were also falls in New South Wales (-0.2 per cent), Western Australia (-0.6 per cent), South Australia (-0.6 per cent), the Australian Capital Territory (-0.8 per cent), Tasmania (-0.7 per cent) and the Northern Territory (-0.7 per cent)."

The trend estimate for Australian retail turnover rose 0.1 per cent in August 2017 following a 0.1 per cent rise in July 2017. Compared to August 2016, the trend estimate rose 2.8 per cent.

Online retail turnover contributed 4.6 per cent to total retail turnover in original terms.

More detailed industry analysis and further information on the statistical methodology is available in Retail Trade, Australia (cat no. 8501.0).

Media note:

• Please ensure when reporting on ABS data that you attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.
• For a detailed definition of each industry group and subgroup in terms of its ANZSIC 2006 classes, please refer to paragraph 6 of the Explanatory Notes.
• Estimates of online retail turnover are only available in original terms and are not available in seasonally adjusted or trend terms.
• When reporting ABS data you must attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.
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