Australia retails turnover rose 0.3 per cent in August 2018, seasonally adjusted, according to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) retail trade figures. The rise follows an unchanged estimate in July 2018.

The highest rises of 0.7 per cent were recorded in cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services. Also the clothing, footwear and personal accessory industry and department stores and household goods retailing experienced a rise of between 0.2 to 0.9 per cent.

Regionally there were rises in New South Wales (0.5%), Victoria (0.2%), South Australia (0.8%), Queensland (0.1%), Tasmania (0.6%), and the Australian Capital Territory (0.2%). Western Australia was unchanged, while there was a fall in the Northern Territory (-1.3%).

The trend estimate for Australian retail turnover rose 0.2 per cent in August 2018, following a 0.3 per cent rise in July 2018. Compared to August 2017, the trend estimate rose 3.4 per cent.

Online retail turnover contributed to 5.6 per cent to total retail turnover in original terms in August 2018, a rise of 5.5 per cent in July 2018. In August 2017 online retail turnover contributed 4.6 per cent to total retail.