Younger consumers buying new sneakers, clothing and accessories are showing no signs of backing off their spending as cost-of-living pressures and nine interest rate hikes put the squeeze on those aged in their 30s and 40s in middle Australia.

Hilton Seskin, chairman of JD Sports in Australia and New Zealand, which runs 50 stores selling trendy runners, sports shoes and apparel, said there had been solid turnover in January among its youth customers and also families.