The following is an unedited transcript of the news release from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.


The seasonally adjusted estimate increased by 1.0% in May 2009. This follows increases of 0.3% in April 2009 and 2.2% in March 2009.

In original terms, Australian turnover increased by 2.4% in May 2009 compared with April 2009. Chains and other large retailers (which are completely enumerated) increased by 2.5%, while the estimate for ''smaller'' retailers increased by 2.3%. Australian turnover increased by 6.0% in May 2009 compared with May 2008. Chains and other large retailers increased by 9.2%, while the estimate for ''smaller'' retailers increased by 0.7%.

INDUSTRIES

All industries, except Household good retailing (-2.0%), had an increase in seasonally adjusted terms in May 2009. Industries with the largest increases were Department stores (+5.5%), Clothing and soft good retailing (+2.9%) and Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (+1.4%).

STATES

The following states had an increase in seasonally adjusted terms in May 2009 - Victoria (+0.7%), Queensland (+1.5%), South Australia (+1.8%), Western Australia (+3.5%) and the Australian Capital Territory (+1.8%). Both New South Wales and the Northern Territory were virtually unchanged and Tasmania had a decline of 0.1%.


Available at:

http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/8501.0?OpenDocument