The latest ABS Retail Trade figures show that Australian retail turnover rose 0.9 per cent in January 2013, seasonally adjusted, following a fall of 0.4 per cent in December 2012.

The largest contributor to the rise was other retailing (2.6 per cent) followed by household goods retailing (1.3 per cent), food retailing (0.3 per cent), cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (1.0 per cent) and clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (0.7 per cent). These rises were partially offset by a fall in department stores (-0.6 per cent). 

The strong rise in other retailing follows a larger fall in December. Over the longer term, food retailing remains the largest contributor to growth (up 0.2 per cent in trend terms).

The state which was the largest contributor to the rise was New South Wales (1.3 per cent), followed by Victoria (1.0 per cent), Queensland (0.9 per cent), Tasmania (1.4 per cent), South Australia (0.4 per cent), the Northern Territory (1.3 per cent) and the Australian Capital Territory (0.8 per cent). These rises were partially offset by a fall in Western Australia (-0.4 per cent). Over the longer term, Queensland is the strongest contributor to growth (up 0.3 per cent in trend terms).

The trend estimate for Australian retail turnover rose 0.1 per cent in January 2013. This follows a relatively unchanged December 2012 (0.0 per cent) and a relatively unchanged November 2012 (0.0 per cent).