April retail sales fall as holidays fail to boost spending

Overview

• Australian retail sales fell by 0.1% in April despite the boost expected from two public holidays.
• Food-related retailers recorded a 1.1% increase in sales driven by stronger restaurant and café spending in Queensland.
• Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailers posted the steepest decline with sales down 2.5%.
• Department store sales dropped 2.5% while household goods and other speciality retailers saw gains of 0.6% and 0.7%.
• Retailers in Queensland rebounded following last month’s disruption from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.