Retail sales · Australia
Australia Retail Sales MoM
The Australia Retail Sales MoM measures the value or volume of goods sold by shops and online retailers in Australia.
- Importance
- High
- Released
- Monthly
- Currency
- AUD · Australian dollar
- Central bank
- The Reserve Bank of Australia
Latest figures
The latest release for JUN, published on 31 July 2025, came in at 1.2%, above the consensus of 0.4%, up from 0.5% the time before (revised).
A stronger figure than expected points to a healthier economy: it usually supports the Australian dollar and local stocks, and can push bond yields up.
Over the last 7 releases it ranged from -0.1% to 1.2%, averaging 0.3%; it has been rising for three releases in a row.
| Released | For | Actual | Consensus | Previous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Jul 2025 | JUN | 1.2% | 0.4% | 0.5% ® |
| 2 Jul 2025 | MAY | 0.2% | 0.4% | 0.0% ® |
| 30 May 2025 | APR | -0.1% | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| 2 May 2025 | MAR | 0.3% | 0.4% | 0.8% ® |
| 1 Apr 2025 | FEB | 0.2% | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| 4 Mar 2025 | JAN | 0.3% | 0.3% | -0.1% |
| 3 Feb 2025 | DEC | -0.1% | -0.7% | 0.8% |
Why it matters
Retail sales are the most timely measure of household spending, the largest part of the economy. Strong sales support growth and the Australian dollar; weak sales raise recession worries. In the US the "control group" (without autos, petrol, building materials and food services) feeds directly into GDP.
How it is calculated
the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) surveys retailers on their monthly sales; value figures include price changes, volume figures remove them. Seasonal adjustment removes holiday patterns.
Change (mom) = sales this month ÷ sales last month − 1What changes mean
- Compare value and volume: rising value with falling volume is inflation, not stronger demand.
- Ex-autos and ex-fuel versions remove the most volatile parts.
- Revisions to the previous month can change the picture.
Higher than expected: A stronger figure than expected points to a healthier economy: it usually supports the Australian dollar and local stocks, and can push bond yields up.
Lower than expected: A weaker figure than expected points to slowing activity: the Australian dollar tends to soften and markets price in lower rates.
A short history
The US Census Bureau has published monthly retail sales since the 1950s; most countries followed in the post-war decades.
Questions
What is the Australia Retail Sales MoM?
The Australia Retail Sales MoM measures the value or volume of goods sold by shops and online retailers in Australia.
What was the latest Australia Retail Sales MoM?
1.2% for JUN, published on 31 July 2025 (consensus 0.4%, previous 0.5%).
Educational content only, not investment advice. Figures are the published results as recorded by our calendar; market reactions described are typical, not guaranteed.