Australian retail turnover saw a 0.6% increase in October 2024 - the third consecutive month of growth, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).  

This follows a modest 0.1% rise in September and a 0.7% increase in August.

ABS business head of statistics Robert Ewing said: "After a steady result last month, retailers told us that sales activity grew in October ahead of the Black Friday sales. The stronger than usual October month saw some retailers enticing buyers to spend early with discounting, particularly on discretionary items." 

During the month, the performance across industries was mixed. Notable increases were observed in non-food sectors, with other retailing climbing by 1.6% and household goods retailing by 1.4%.  

Ewing contained: "The rise in discretionary spending was driven by online discounting events while people also spent more on electrical goods, particularly televisions and other audio-visual equipment."

Not all sectors experienced growth. Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing declined by 0.6%, and department stores by 0.3%.  

In contrast, food-related industries witnessed gains. Cafés, restaurants and takeaway food services grew by 0.3%, their third successive monthly rise, while food retailing also increased by 0.3% after a slight dip in September.  

Ewing noted: “The bounce back in food retailing is being driven by liquor retailers. This month liquor rose by 1.7%, which sees liquor turnover return to a similar level as July 2024.”  

Geographically, retail turnover growth was widespread with all states and territories recording increases except for the Northern Territory which saw a decrease of 0.5%.  

South Australia led with a rise of 1.3%, followed closely by Tasmania at 1.1% and Victoria at 0.9%.

The ABS plans to discontinue the Retail Trade publication in August 2025 due to upgrades to the country's Monthly Household Spending Indicator (MHSI).