Despite a decision by the Reserve Bank to cut interest rates by 0.25 percent, retail turnover fell disappointingly flat in November, according to figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Turnover was unchanged (0.0 percent) for the month of November, following on from a seasonally adjusted rise of 0.2 percent in October, disappointing the many retailers who were relying on a pre-Christmas rush to boost yet another slow year for the sector.
Turnover rose 0.3 percent in Other retailing, 0.1 percent in Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services and was unchanged in Food retailing and Household goods retailing.
It fell 0.4 percent in Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing and 0.1 percent in Department stores.
Turnover was up 0.5 percent in Queensland, 0.3 percent in New South Wales, 0.8 percent in Western Australia, 0.2 percent in South Australia and 0.4 percent in Tasmania and the Northern Territory.
Turnover fell in Victoria (-1.1 percent) and the Australian Capital Territory (-1.9 percent).
