Spending fall below estimates, as holidays fail to lift consumer spending
Australians are still not spending despite back-to-back public holidays in April, official figures show.
The latest figures by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows retail sales fell by 0.1 per cent in the month of April despite having two holidays.
This follows growth of 0.3 per cent in March 2025 and 0.2 per cent in February 2025.
Food-related spending was up, with growth in cafes, restaurants and takeway services growing 1.1 per cent to be the standout.
ABS head of business statistics Robert Ewing said retail spending eased in April, particluarly on clothing.
'Falls were partly offset by a bounce-back in Queensland as businesses recovered from the negative impacts of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred last month,' he said
'The rise in food-related spending was driven by more dining out in Queensland this month. The bounce-back comes after adverse weather negatively impacted cafe and restaurant sales,'Mr Ewing said.
There were mixed results across the industries with the largest falls in clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing down 2.5 per cent while department stores also slumped 2.5 per cent.
This was partially offset by rises in other retailing up 0.7 per cent and household goods retailing which rose 0.6 per cent.
'Clothing retailers told us that the warmer-than-usual weather for an April month saw people holding off on buying clothing items, especially new winter season stock,' Mr Ewing said.
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