Australian retailers have enjoyed their third consecutive month of retail growth according to Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data released today.
National Retail Association Dominique Lamb said that while there was still a long way to go for the domestic industry, June’s modest 0.4 per cent rise seasonally adjusted suggested consumer confidence may be returning.
“Food retailing has again led the charge with a 0.9 per cent, and this reflects a very strong trend we’re seeing right across the sector,” Ms Lamb said.
“Experiential retailing in general, which is highly focussed on food, has exploded and it has really become the foundation of all modern consumer habits.
“Better technology and data analytics have allowed shopping centres and individual retailers to see and now really begin to understand people’s changing shopping preferences and habits, and we are seeing that reflected in the consistently good results in food retailing,” she said.
ABS figures show online retail turnover contributed 5.7 per cent of total retail turnover in original terms for the month of June – a rise from 4.1 per cent of total retail turnover for the same period in 2017.
“The entire retail landscape in Australia has changed dramatically, and retailers all over Australia have been pivoting their business models accordingly, including investing more time and resources into creating coordinated, omni-channel approaches and improving their fulfilment and delivery processes.
“One of the reasons we’ve fought so hard on other issues like trading hours is to make sure that the legislation reflects these powerful consumer trends, and that retailers can open their bricks and mortar stores when consumers want to shop.
“It’s all about giving retailers the proper regulatory framework that supports a dynamic industry, where retailers are able to relevant to modern consumers,” she said.
The ABS figures show that in seasonally adjusted terms, there were rises in Victoria (1.1 per cent), New South Wales (0.4 per cent), Western Australia (0.2 per cent), the Australian Capital Territory (1.2 per cent), and Tasmania (0.9 per cent). South Australia (0.0 per cent) was relatively unchanged in June 2018. There were falls in Queensland (-0.3 per cent) and the Northern Territory (-0.4 per cent).
The National Retail Association is Australia’s largest and most representative retail industry association. It has been serving businesses in the retail and fast food sectors for close to 100 years.
Dominique Lamb is available for interviews. Contact the NRA’s media unit on (07) 3240 0163 or 0467 792 013.