NT’s retail spend spike for August the highest in the country

THE NT saw the highest retail spending spike in the country during August with Territorians splashing almost $300 million on everything from clothes to eating out

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THE NT saw the highest retail spending spike in the country during August with Territorians splashing almost $300 million on everything from clothes to eating out.

New Australian Bureau of Statistics data reveals retail turnover nationally fell by four per cent while increasing by two per cent in the NT on seasonally adjusted terms.

In the Territory, this was a jump from $282.2 million in July to $287.9 million in August.

NT Chamber of Commerce chief executive Greg Ireland said the spending spike coincided with the rollout of the $650,000 MyDarwin voucher scheme at the end of July.

“These latest numbers are a sign that some business confidence has been returning,” he said.

The August statistics show Territorians spent about $140 million on eating out at restaurants and cafes and $15.2 million on clothes and footwear.

“Territorians are spending more time at home, so I think people are spending a little bit more on things like gardening or DIY,” Mr Ireland said.

“I know some of the paint shops have been in high demand over recent months.”

It comes after the first round of the $220,000 MyPalmerston voucher scheme kicked off this week.

Aussie Pooch Nutrition owner Hannah Bohlin said her business was among 60 who had signed up for the scheme so far, with about 500 vouchers already out the door.

“It’s already proven to be a huge incentive for our customers to come in and spend more than they usually would,” she said.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said it was important to note that not all businesses would be doing okay after recent cuts to JobKeeper.

“We are in the middle of a global recession,” he said.

“I am very sensitive to the fact we’re going to the low season and wet season.

“This is a traditionally difficult time, so we’re going to keep working closely with business.

“We’ve got a lot of programs rolling, and we’ve got to keep working at it.”

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It comes after unemployment figures for August showed the NT’s unemployment rate fell from 7.4 per cent to 4.2 per cent.

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