Queenslanders are spending up 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 throughout the nation was up 13 per cent 12 months on 12 months, 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 complete spend.
The revelation comes because the company reveals its month-to-month retail report which discovered that general spending continued to stoop in 2023.
ABS head of retail statistics Ben Dorber stated the slowdown in retail spending seen because the begin of the 12 months 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 complete, Australians spent greater than $35 billion in April 2023, in comparison with simply over $30 billion in the identical month final 12 months.
Queenslanders forked out $7.2 billion on the checkout in April and greater than $28.6 billion for the 12 months to this point.
That determine represents a $100 million improve from the identical time final 12 months and an nearly $1 billion improve from April 2020.
Spending slumped all through the state from 2020 via to mid-2022 when it started to climb as soon as extra.
Despite post-pandemic progress, Queensland recorded one of many largest month-on-month drop offs, falling from 1.1 per cent progress to only 0.1 per cent.
Spending within the Sunshine State has largely matched countrywide tendencies in 2023, with marginal change month-on-month this 12 months.
In Victoria, shoppers spent simply over $9 billion in April 2023, whereas residents in NSW spent greater than $11 billion.
Those states recorded modest drop offs in spending since March 2023, whereas Tasmania recorded a considerable fall of 1.5 per cent.
In April, shoppers nationwide spent greater than $5 billion at cafes or eating places, $3 billion on clothes, and $1.9 billion at shops.
The ABS will launch its subsequent spending report in June.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
