Matildas mania kicks retail goals after flat EOFY sales

Poppy Johnston | August 28, 2023

Australian retail sales have lifted 0.5 per cent as the Women’s World Cup and school holidays fuel a jump in spending on catering and takeaway food.

The improvement in the Australian Bureau of Statistics numbers for July follows a steep fall of 0.8 per cent in June when end-of-financial-year sales fell flat.

In May, the bureau reported a 0.8 per cent lift.

ABS head of retail statistics Ben Dorber said underlying growth in retail turnover was subdued even with the increase in July.

“In trend terms, retail turnover was unchanged in July and up only 1.9 per cent compared to July 2022, despite considerable price growth over the year,” Mr Dorber said.

Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services reported a 1.3 per cent uptick, with Mr Dorber linking the spending boost to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and school holidays.

Food retailing remained unchanged, however. 

Aside from household goods retailing, which recorded its second consecutive fall, most non-food industries rose in July.

Department stores lifted 3.6 per cent, clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing improved two per cent, and other retailing grew by 0.3 per cent.

The behaviour of consumers has been flagged as an ongoing source of uncertainty by the Reserve Bank.

The central bank board is due to meet for its September interest rate decision next week.