ABS figures suggest there may be light at tunnel's end for retail transporters
Transport and logistics firms exposed to Australia’s struggling retail sector will have reason to take note of its steady rise in turnover.
The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures show that, for November, total turnover rose 0.5 per cent, following the same rises each month in the previous two months, with the seasonally adjusted figure looking even better.
“The seasonally adjusted estimate for Australian turnover rose 0.7 per cent in November 2013 following a rise of 0.5 per cent in October 2013 and a rise of 0.9 per cent in September 2013.
The original estimate for Australian turnover rose 4.0 per cent in November 2013. The original estimate for chains and other larger retailers rose 5.0 per cent in November 2013. The original estimate for smaller retailers rose 2.2 per cent in November 2013.”
Amongst the retail industries , household goods was the tardiest, recording a negligible 0.1 per cent growth for the month, followed by food at 0.3 per cent, though liquor actually fell on current and seasonally adjusted bases.
More bullish was clothing, up 1.2 per cent, with department stores also making up ground at 0.5 per cent.
Total retail turnover for the past three years has also risen, from about $21.1 billion to nearly $22.4 billion.