The recent release of the September 2015 retail trade figures by the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed continued growth in the Household Goods sector, and Footwear and Personal Accessories.
As indicated in the graph below, the retail sector grew by 3.9 per cent nationally, with Victoria (4.9 per cent), South Australia (4.4 per cent) and New South Wales (4.3 per cent), growing at a larger rate than the national average.
*Source: ABS 8501.0 – Retail Trade, Australia, September 2015
Analysis, conducted by the National Retail Association highlights that solid growth was achieved within the Household Goods subcategories of Furniture and Hardware and Building Supplies, , which increased by 7.8 per cent, and 6.9 per cent respectively in September. In the case of furniture, this growth represents an additional $80.1 million on items such as mattresses, floor rugs, and kitchenware.
While, Footwear and Personal Accessories dropped below double-digit growth for the first time in nine months, it still recorded a solid growth rate of 7.2 per cent, which produces an average of 10.9 per cent for the past twelve months.
*Source: ABS 8501.0 – Retail Trade, Australia, September 2015
Moving annual turnover (MAT), which is the total value of consumer spending for a twelve month period, calculated on a monthly rolling basis, continues to produce interesting figures.
Footwear and personal accessories recorded the strongest consumer spend for the preceding twelve months, with a MAT change of 11.0 per cent. All three subgroups of furniture (8.3 per cent), electrical (9.6 per cent) and hardware (8.9 per cent) also continue to make significant contributions to the current strength of this division.
*Source: ABS 8501.0 – Retail Trade, Australia, September 2015
Specifically, the MAT Change for these categories are currently above the national average for all of retail, which is 4.4 per cent.
If you would like to receive specific information on the economic performance of your industry sub-category, please contact NRA’s Research Division on 1800 738 245.