ABS data shows Alice Springs surpasses 2100 registered businesses in 2024, losing 51 but gaining 57

One business sector is booming in Alice Springs, according to fresh data, which recorded 27 new businesses. Find out what it is.

Alice Springs. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Businesses are booming in one sector in Alice Springs, with 27 new businesses popping up in it in the last financial year, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The town recorded a net increase of six businesses in at the end of the 2024 financial year, according to data released by the Bureau at the end of December.

In June 2023, there were 2099 business, but in June 2024 the number of businesses rose to 2105, according to the data.

Throughout the sectors, the Health Care and Social Assistance sector saw the largest increase with 27 new businesses in 2024 compared to 2023.

The Todd Mall markets, Alice Springs. ABS data shows the town has lost five retail businesses in the last financial year. Picture: Gera Kazakov

In 2023, there were 162 businesses in the sector, while in 2024 the figure jumped to 189, the data shows.

The data shows the increase mainly came from small businesses with one to four employees, with 34 registered in 2023.

In 2024 there were 51.

All up, the data shows a loss of 51 businesses in the town, but 57 new businesses to offset the loss.

In retail, there was a loss of eight businesses over the same period, while a loss of five businesses in the Accommodation and Food Services sector was also recorded.

Departing Chamber of Commerce NT chief operating officer Nicole Walsh. Picture: LinkedIn

NT Chamber of Commerce chief operating officer Nicole Walsh said member businesses in Alice Springs had “optimism” for 2025, with hopes interest rates would decrease.

“We know that businesses have closed down for a variety of reasons including, cost of living pressures, changes in the way people shop, business safety and security, national store decisions, people retiring, workforce issues and more,” she said.

“We do know that town is certainly facing some challenges, challenges that are incredibly real for business as mentioned above but there are businesses that are looking forward to a good 2025.

“We have seen new shops open, restaurants, pop up shops, shops are refurbishing, and landowners are putting in applications for development space.”

Originally published as ABS data shows Alice Springs surpasses 2100 registered businesses in 2024, losing 51 but gaining 57