Australians are shopping for massive at cafes and on takeaway meals regardless of the price of dwelling pressures which have stored retail spending down.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics on Friday revealed spending on meals was up 13 per cent yr on yr, regardless of a modest drop off within the final month.
The $12.4 million fall in gross sales at eating places and takeaway retailers in April is the primary following 13 straight months of rises – and represents a drop of solely 0.02 per cent within the $5.25 billion whole spend.
The revelation comes because the company reveals its month-to-month retail report which discovered that total spending continued to hunch in 2023.
ABS head of retail statistics Ben Dorber stated the slowdown in retail spending seen for the reason that begin of the yr continued in April.
“Retail turnover has plateaued over the last six months as consumers spent less on discretionary goods in response to cost-of-living pressures and rising interest rates,” Mr Dorber stated.
“Spending was again soft in April but was boosted by increased spending on winter clothing in response to cooler and wetter than average weather across the country.
“The modest fall in food-related spending comes after a period of consistent growth driven largely by high food inflation. Spending has also been boosted by the return of large-scale sporting and cultural events.”
In whole, Australians spent greater than $35 billion in April 2023, in comparison with simply over $30 billion in the identical month final yr.
Consumers spent greater than $5 billion at cafes and eating places, $3 billion on clothes, and $1.9 billion at department shops.
Results have been combined throughout the states and territories with 4 falls and three rises, whereas the Northern Territory remained unchanged.
Tasmania recorded the biggest drop in gross sales of 1.5 per cent, adopted by falls in NSW, Victoria, and the ACT.
The largest rise was recorded in Western Australia which file a one per cent rise, adopted by smaller rises in QLD and South Australia.
“Turnover is at a record level in South Australia following three straight rises of 0.6 per cent,” Mr Dorber stated.
“It has been boosted by the inaugural AFL Gather Round and LIV Golf Adelaide tournament this month.”
The ABS will launch its subsequent spending report in June.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
