Shoppers spending at supermarkets help lift retail sales 0.3pc in March: ABS

Retail sales have posted a modest lift in March, driven by food-related spending in supermarkets and grocery stores.

The 0.3 per cent lift in March was shy of the consensus forecast for a rise of 0.4 per cent and follows small increases recorded earlier this year, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Friday.

ABS head of business statistics Robert Ewing said retail spending continued to lift at a steady pace, with food-related spending in supermarkets and grocery stores the main driver of growth. Food-related spending grew 0.7 per cent.

“Supermarket and grocery store sales were especially strong in Queensland where households stockpiled essentials in anticipation of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred,” he said.

But the pre-cautionary spending in supermarkets wasn’t enough to offset other impacts of the weather-related disruptions, including temporary business closures for many retailers, particularly cafes and restaurants.

Retail turnover rose in all States and Territories, except for Queensland, which fell 0.4 per cent. The Northern Territory posted the biggest lift over the month, up 0.7 per cent. It was followed by Victoria and the ACT, both up 0.6 per cent.