ABS data reveals retailers are struggling to sell clothes, shoes and accessories

As the cost of living rises and Australians look to tighten their belts, retailers have been struggling to sell one thing in particular.

Retail sales overall are continuing to rise, but some parts of the sector are struggling, according to new data.

Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing recorded its largest fall this year, down 2.3 per cent (-$68.1m) in August following two consecutive rises, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Stores deemed “other retailing” also fell for the first time following five consecutive monthly rises, down 2.5 per cent or -$137.4m, and it is the largest fall for the category this year.

However, retail turnover overall rose 0.6 per cent in August — the eighth consecutive rise following a 1.3 per cent boost in July and a 0.2 per cent increase in June.

That figure is also an increase of 19.2 per cent compared to August last year.

“This month’s rise was driven by the combined increase in food related industries,” ABS head of retail statistics Ben Dorber said.

Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing are down. Picture: ABS

“While households continue to spend, non-food industry results were mixed and only contributed a small amount to the total rise in retail turnover.”

Food retailing jumped 1.1 per cent or $142.5m, while cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services rose 1.3 per cent or $65.3m.

Department stores climbed 2.8 per cent ($52.8m) to a new record level.

Household goods retailing had its largest rise since March, up 2.6 per cent or $157.2m, which comes after three falls in the previous four months.

Total online retailing sales were more than $3.5 billion in August.

Seasonally adjusted through-the-year sales were down 15.6 per cent, or -$654.8m, as online sales were massively boosted in August 2021 due to the Delta outbreak of Covid-19.

Online sales continue to remain above the level of any month before the outbreak.

Department stores climbed 2.8 per cent to a new record level.

STATE BREAKDOWN OF TURNOVER:

• Tasmania — up 2.2 per cent;
• ACT — up 1.9 per cent;
• NSW — up 1.5 per cent;
• South Australia — up 1.3 per cent;
• Victoria — up 0.1 per cent;
• Western Australia — down 0.2 per cent;
• Queensland — down 0.1 per cent; and
• Northern Territory — unchanged.