The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has produced additional data for the Wholesale trade and Retail trade industries for 2024-25. New income data available from the Economic Activity Survey includes service income and online sales of goods, while data available from the Retail and Wholesale Industry Survey includes sales, costs and margins for products sold to the general public and to other businesses.
Wholesale and Retail Industries
A look at new income data available for the Wholesale trade and Retail trade industries.
Released
18/09/2026
Release date and time
18/09/2026 11:30am AEST
Introduction
Key results
- The Wholesale trade industry reported $773.2b in sales and service income, including $728.6b from sales of goods bought in and resold, and $29.9b in income from services.
- The Retail trade industry reported $660.1b in sales and service income, including $625.0b from sales of goods bought in and resold, and $28.7b in income from services.
- Online sales of goods bought in and resold was $121.0b across both industries.
- Automotive diesel was the top selling commodity to other businesses, with $62.6b in wholesale sales.
- New motor cars were the top selling commodity to the general public, with $39.9b in retail sales.
Income by industry
Wholesale trade industry
The Wholesale trade industry reported sales and service income of $773.2b. Sales of goods bought in and resold were the primary source of income ($728.6b), including $42.2b from online sales. Income from services totalled $29.9b, with other service income ($13.4b) and repair and maintenance services ($9.4b) the largest components.
Retail trade industry
The Retail trade industry reported sales and service income of $660.1b. Sales of goods bought in and resold were the primary source of income ($625.0b), including $78.8b from online sales. Income from services totalled $28.7b, with other service income ($11.9b) and repair and maintenance services ($6.4b) the largest components.
Retail and Wholesale Sales
Sales to the general public
Retail sales relate to goods bought in and resold to the general public. Retail sales can be made by businesses in both the Retail trade and Wholesale trade industries and are products sold for personal or household use. Margins refer to the difference between sales and the costs of goods sold.
The top three commodities for retail sales were:
- New motor cars ($39.9b), representing 7.5% of total retail sales.
- Clothing ($33.4b), 6.3% of total retail sales.
- Automotive petrol ($26.4b), 4.9% of total retail sales.
The top three commodities for Retail margins were:
- Clothing ($18.7b), with a retail margin to sales ratio of 56.0%.
- Fresh fruit and vegetables ($7.5b), with a retail margin to sales ratio of 35.4%.
- Furniture ($7.0b), with a retail margin to sales ratio of 43.6%.
Commodity names have been abbreviated. Refer to the Wholesale and Retail Industries data cube in Australian Industry for detailed descriptions and additional commodities.
Commodity names have been abbreviated. Refer to the Wholesale and Retail Industries data cube in Australian Industry for detailed descriptions and additional commodities.
Sales to businesses and other organisations
Wholesale sales relate to goods bought in and resold to businesses and other organisations. They relate to commodities used in the production of other goods or delivery of services, and include goods intended for subsequent resale to the general public. Wholesale sales can be made by businesses in both the Retail trade and Wholesale trade industries.
The top three commodities for Wholesale sales were:
- Automotive diesel ($62.6b), representing 8.3% of total wholesale sales.
- New motor cars ($60.0b), 8.0% of total wholesale sales.
- Automotive petrol ($30.2b), 4.0% of total wholesale sales.
The top three commodities for Wholesale margins were:
- Motor vehicle parts and accessories ($5.8b), with a wholesale margin to sales ratio of 37.7%.
- Industrial machinery for construction, earth moving and mining ($5.4b), with a wholesale margin to sales ratio of 23.0%.
- New motor cars ($5.0b), with a wholesale margin to sales ratio of 8.3%.
Commodity names have been abbreviated. Refer to the Wholesale and Retail Industries data cube in Australian Industry for detailed descriptions and additional commodities.
Commodity names have been abbreviated. Refer to the Wholesale and Retail Industries data cube in Australian Industry for detailed descriptions and additional commodities.
More details
Detailed estimates for additional income and product level data are available for download in the Wholesale and Retail industries data cube in Australian Industry
For more information on the Retail and Wholesale Industry Survey please refer to the related information section of the Australian Industry methodology page.