<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>330097</docID> <postdate>2024-10-01 12:38:13</postdate> <headline>Retail trade springs back after warmer weather</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-330098" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20240703120100535567-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="595" /></p> <caption>Warm weather and Father's Day shopping has boosted retail trade figures. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Andrew Brown</strong> and <strong>William Ton</strong> in Canberra</span></p> <p><strong>Warmer-than average weather and Father's Day sales spurred on an early spring blitz to the shops in a boost to retail figures.</strong></p> <p>Australian Bureau of Statistics figures showed retail spending grew 0.7 per cent in August and increased 3.1 per cent in the past year.</p> <p>With higher temperatures prompting people to spend more time outdoors, the bureau's head of business statistics Robert Ewing said it also led a rise in discretionary spending.</p> <p>"This year was the warmest August on record since 1910, which saw more spending on items typically purchased in spring," he said.</p> <p>"This included summer clothing, liquor, outdoor dining, hardware, gardening items, camping goods and outdoor equipment.</p> <p>"The lift in turnover from the warmer weather was also boosted by higher discretionary spending as consumers took advantage of Father's Day sales events during the month."</p> <p>Department stores had the largest increase in retail trade outside of food off the back of Father's Day sales, growing 1.6 per cent in the month.</p> <p>Spending on clothing, footwear and personal accessories grew 1.5 per cent in the same time, while other retail grew by 1.3 per cent.</p> <p>Households goods was the only sector that dropped in August, falling 0.3 per cent.</p> <p>The warmer weather also resulted in a surge in people going out to eat.</p> <p>"More people were out dining at cafes and restaurants enjoying the warm end to the winter months, which also boosted spending on alcohol consumed at home," Mr Ewing said.</p> <p>"While the eastern mainland states led the rises, most states and territories benefited from the earlier-than-usual spring temperatures, although some unseasonal rainfall over parts of Western Australia dampened sales slightly."</p> <p>Victoria and the NT led the way for retail sales, going up 0.9 per cent for the month, followed by Tasmania and the ACT at 0.8 per cent.</p> <p>August's bounce back for retail figures came after sluggish growth of just 0.1 per cent in July.</p> <p>It comes as charities say they are experiencing an unprecedented surge in demand for essential non-food items, with eight in 10 saying need has increased.</p> <p>According to a report from charity distributor Good360, 84 per cent expect the cost-of-living crisis to supercharge demand for these items in the coming year, with personal hygiene products, clothing and educational supplies topping the list.</p> <p>Eastern Hills Community Pantry handed out $900,000 worth of items in 2023, with half being non-food related, manager Kerry Retallack said.</p> <p>The Perth-based charity provides various non-food essentials including kitchen items, toiletries, clothing and toys.</p> <p>"With toothbrushes, kids come in and go, 'Mum, can we have a new toothbrush? They've got one here', and you know they've been making do with an old one," ," Ms Retallack told AAP.</p> <p>Struggling double-income earners are increasingly seeking help, but the issue is affecting Australians across the board amid skyrocketing rents and mortgages.</p> <p>The figures represented a frightening trend for charities that were on their knees and unsure how to keep up with demand, Good360 managing director Alison Covington said.</p> <p>More charities than ever are coming to her organisation asking for non-food aid and the managing director is asking for more government support.</p> <p>"You can't keep asking charities to do the work without funding them to do this good work," Ms Covington said.</p> <p>The report comes as the federal government announced a $15.8 billion surplus for the 2023/24 financial year, the second in two years.</p> <p>Treasurer Jim Chalmers denied suggestions the economic achievement meant less support for people struggling financially.</p> <p>https://citynews.com.au/2024/charities-buckle-under-surge-for-non-food-aid-requests/</p> </body>