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New retail figures show a rise in sales for the month of January, with WA leading the way

Headshot of Gerard Cockburn
Gerard CockburnNews Corp Australia
The nation’s retail conditions are continuing to improve from the financial damage that shook the sector last year.
Camera IconThe nation’s retail conditions are continuing to improve from the financial damage that shook the sector last year. Credit: News Corp Australia

Australia’s retail trading environment has continued its recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, with the latest data showing a rise in sales.

Latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show retail turnover for January improved 0.5 per cent on December figures, with close to $30.5 billion spent during the month.

On an annual basis, turnover figures are trading 10.6 per cent above January levels a year ago

Turnover figures have experienced large swings since the beginning of the pandemic, plummeting 17.7 per cent in April last year following mass lockdowns that prevented households from spending.

According to the ABS, Queensland had the largest fall in retail sales, slumping 1.5 per cent on December trade, while WA had the largest monthly increase of 2.1 per cent.

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Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing suffered the largest falls compared with any other sector.

Food retailing was the best performer, rising 1.6 per cent over the month.

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