<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>332170</docID> <postdate>2024-10-31 13:51:35</postdate> <headline>Warm weather spending evaporates for steady September</headline> <body><p><img class=" wp-image-248407" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/woman-g487885f77_1280-e1715213237432.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" /></p> <caption>The 0.5 per cent lift in household goods retailing was the strongest lift over the month, the ABS said, more than unwinding the 0.4 per cent fall in August.</caption> <p class="wire-column__preview__author"><span class="kicker-line">By <b>Poppy Johnston</b> in Canberra</span></p> <p><strong>Australian retail sales were broadly flat last month, following a boost in August fuelled by unseasonably warm weather.</strong></p> <p>The minor 0.1 per cent gain in September followed a 0.7 per cent lift in August.</p> <p>In July, the Australian Bureau of Statistics recorded another steady result for sales across retailers.</p> <p>"After a boost last month from warmer-than-usual weather, retail spending held firm in September," ABS head of business statistics Robert Ewing said.</p> <p>The monthly retail trade result provides a steer on consumer spending in the wake of income tax cuts and other cost-of-living relief.</p> <p>Extra funds have been landing in bank accounts since July 1 when tax cuts began, bringing with it concerns that bolstered incomes would add to inflationary pressures and keep interest rates higher for longer.</p> <p>The 0.5 per cent lift in household goods retailing was the strongest lift over the month, the ABS said, more than unwinding the 0.4 per cent fall in August.</p> <p>"The rise in household goods was led by WA spending on hardware and gardening items after unseasonal rainfall last month reduced sales," Mr Ewing said.</p> <p>Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services rose 0.4 per cent, while all other categories were slightly down.</p> <p>Department store sales fell 0.5 per cent, with minor declines in clothing, footwear and personal accessories, and food retailing.</p> <p>"The August boost in spending on alcohol was temporary, with a sharp reversal in liquor retailing this month driving the fall in food spending," Mr Ewing said.</p> <p>https://citynews.com.au/2024/inflation-battle-not-over-despite-fall-gallagher/</p> </body>