The latest ABS Retail Trade figures show that Australian retail turnover rose 1.0% in June 2012, seasonally adjusted, following a rise of 0.8% in May 2012.

A majority of industries contributed to the rise with food retailing (0.9%) and department stores (3.4%) the main drivers of growth. Turnover also rose in Other retailing (1.4%), Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (1.0%) and Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (1.8%). The only industry to fall was household goods retailing (-0.2%).

Over the longer term, Food retailing is still the largest contributor to growth (up 0.5% in trend terms) followed by cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (up 1.1% in trend terms).

Turnover rose in all states in June 2012. The largest contributor to the rise was New South Wales (1.0%) which recorded its fourth consecutive monthly rise. Turnover also rose in Queensland (1.2%), Victoria (0.9%), Western Australia (1.0%), South Australia (0.7%), the Northern Territory (2.8%), Tasmania (1.0%) and the Australian Capital Territory (0.9%). Over the longer term, Western Australia is still the strongest performing state (up 0.8% in trend terms).

The trend estimate for Australian retail turnover rose 0.5% in June 2012. This follows a rise of 0.5% in April 2012 and a rise of 0.5% in March 2012.

In volume terms, turnover rose 1.4% in the June quarter 2012, seasonally adjusted, following a rise of 1.4% in the March quarter 2012.