Retail sales – and building approvals – fall in February

Australia’s department and clothing stores were hit hard by a downturn in their trade during February.

The Bureau of Statistics said both saw their turnover fall  by 3.9 per cent during the month, on seasonally adjusted figures.

That was more than twice the overall fall – of 1.4 per cent – in Australia’s overall retail trade in February.

However this followed a rise of 1.1 per cent in January.

That result was boosted by the traditional post Christmas sales.

Cafes, restaurants and take away food stores fared better in February, increasing their sales by an average of 1.8 per cent.

These figures, too, are seasonally adjusted.

On raw figures, the sales of chain stores and other large retailers plunged by 15.1 per cent in February.

Smaller retailers saw their sales sink by 6.2 per cent during the month, on the same basis

The gradual withdrawal of the Federal government’s stimulus measures contributed to the set back many Australian retailers experienced in February.

The Bureau also reported that home building approvals fell by 3.3 per cent in February, on seasonally adjusted estimates.

However they remained 34.2 per cent above those of February 2009.