Australia: Retail sales growth accelerates in October
Nominal retail sales growth in October came in at 0.3% over the previous month in seasonally-adjusted terms, following September’s revised 0.1% expansion (previously reported: +0.2% month-on-month). This was slightly above market expectations of a 0.2% rise. Subdued wage growth, falling house prices and a burdensome stock of household debt continued to limit the scope of consumer spending growth.
Higher sales in clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing, household goods retailing, and food retailing led the expansion, partially offset by lower sales in cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services.
In annual terms, retail sales expanded 3.8% in October, up from September’s 2.8% increase. Meanwhile, annual average growth in retail sales in October rose to 2.9% from September’s 2.7%.