CONSUMPTION AND INVESTMENT

Retail Trade
New Motor Vehicle Sales
Private New Capital Expenditure

RETAIL TRADE

The March 2008 trend estimate for Queensland's retail turnover was $4,164.4 million, a 7.0% increase since March 2007. Food retailing accounted for 41% of total retail turnover in March 2008 and Hospitality and service industries turnover contributed 17%.

In the twelve months to March 2008, the industry groups with the largest percentage increases in retail turnover (trend) were Recreational goods rising 30% to $176.8 million and Other retailing which increased 17% to $396.4 million. Decreases in total turnover were experienced in Clothing and soft good retailing (-14% to $210.7 million) and in Household good retailing (-0.2% to $638.5 million).

Further information about this topic can be accessed at Retail Trade, Australia (cat. no. 8501.0) or ring the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070. This publication is released monthly.

NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SALES

In trend terms, 10,438 new passenger vehicles and 19,641 vehicles in total were sold in March 2008 in Queensland. Corresponding sales for Australia were 53,233 and 90,774.

In March 1998, new passenger vehicle sales accounted for 66% of total new vehicle sales in Queensland. By March 2008, the proportion of new passenger vehicle sales had fallen to 53%.

Further information about new motor vehicle sales can be accessed from Sales of New Motor Vehicles, Australia (cat no. 9314.0) or ring the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070. This publication is released monthly.

PRIVATE NEW CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

Between the September 2007 and the December 2007 quarters, the Queensland chain volume trend estimate of private new capital expenditure increased marginally by less than 0.1% to $3,992 million.

During the same period, expenditure on Equipment, plant and machinery increased by 0.4% to $2,642 million while expenditure on Buildings and structures decreased by -0.7% to $1,350 million.

Comparing the December 2007 quarter with the December 2006 quarter, Queensland's total private new capital expenditure increased by 9.4%. Expenditure on Equipment, plant and machinery grew by 9.2% and expenditure on Buildings and structures increased by 9.7%.

Further information on this topic can be accessed at Private New Capital Expenditure and Expected Expenditure, Australia (cat. no. 5625.0) or ring the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070. This publication is released quarterly.