Australian Retail Spending Stalls: Weather Woes and Queensland's Comeback

Photo by Artificial Photography on Unsplash

Australian retail spending hit the brakes in April, falling 0.1 percent as shoppers held off on winter wardrobe updates during unseasonably warm weather. The pullback ends a two-month growth streak but masks an interesting regional story brewing up north.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics data released today shows retail turnover's modest decline follows March's 0.3 percent gain and February's 0.2 percent rise—suggesting consumers are taking a breather rather than heading for the exits.

Key Observations:

• Clothing and department stores took the biggest hit, both down 2.5 percent

• Queensland staged a dramatic 1.4 percent rebound after Cyclone Alfred disruptions

• Food service spending jumped 1.1 percent as Queensland diners returned

• Household goods retailers gained 0.6 percent on recovery purchases

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