Both traditional and online retail sales fell in December 2018 (0.4% and 1.4% respectively) following strong November results, providing evidence of ongoing ‘pull forward’ of Christmas sales. Consumer sentiment improved 4.2% in February, suggesting the poor January result was only temporary and that consumers remain ‘cautiously optimistic’.
Retail sales
1 month
3 months
12 months
3 months
12 months
(0.4%)
+0.4%
+2.8%
+0.4%
+2.8%
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics
Online retail sales
1 month
3 months
12 months
3 months
12 months
(1.4%)
+1.7%
+11.7%
+1.7%
+11.7%
Source: NAB Online Retail Sales Index
Consumer confidence
1 month
3 months
12 months
3 months
12 months
+4.2%
(0.5%)
+1.1%
(0.5%)
+1.1%
