Retail Sales Slow Amid Queensland Rebound in Australia

Australian retail turnover fell 0.1 per cent in April 2025, according to seasonally adjusted figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

This follows growth of 0.3 per cent in March 2025 and 0.2 per cent in February 2025.

Robert Ewing, ABS head of business statistics, said: 'Retail spending eased in April, particularly on clothing purchases.

'Falls were partly offset by a bounce-back in Queensland as businesses recovered from the negative impacts of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred last month.'

Trend estimates from March 2020 to June 2022 are not available due to the degree of disruption and volatility caused by COVID-19. Trend estimates throughout the pandemic period are likely to be unhelpful and potentially misleading for users in interpreting underlying trend in retail activity.

There were mixed results across the industries with the largest falls in clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (-2.5 per cent) and department stores (-2.5 per cent).

This was partially offset by rises in other retailing (+0.7 per cent) and household goods retailing (+0.6 per cent).

'Clothing retailers told us that the warmer-than-usual weather for an April month saw people holding off on buying clothing items, especially new winter season stock,' Mr Ewing said.

Having underpinned recent growth, food-related spending continued to rise, with growth in cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (+1.1 per cent). This was partially offset by a fall in food retailing (-0.3 per cent).

'The rise in food-related spending was driven by more dining out in Queensland this month. The bounce-back comes after adverse weather negatively impacted cafe and restaurant sales,' Mr Ewing said.

Retail turnover rose in Queensland (+1.4 per cent) and Western Australia (+0.4 per cent).

'Queensland retailers recovered from last month's temporary business closures and fewer customers,' Mr Ewing said.

'In April, we saw higher spending in the industries most impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. More people dined out and made recovery purchases on household items like furniture and electrical goods.'

All other states and territories had a fall after growth in March.

The ABS would like to thank businesses for their continued support in responding to our surveys.