"Australian retail turnover rose 8.2%.....>

AUSTRALIA: "Australian retail turnover rose 8.2% in Mar '20, seasonally

adjusted, according to preliminary retail trade figures released today by the

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This is the strongest seasonally adjusted

rise ever published in the Retail Trade publication, surpassing an increase of

8.1% in June 2000 when households brought forward expenditure ahead of the GST

implementation. These preliminary figures, which will be subject to revision

with the final monthly estimate published 6 May, indicate unprecedented demand

in March in the Food retailing industry, with strong sales across supermarkets,

liquor retailing & other specialised food. Additional analysis indicates monthly

turnover doubled for products such as toilet & tissue paper, and rice & pasta.

In addition to food retailing, sales were also strong in retail industries

selling items related to home offices. The rises were slightly offset by strong

falls in industries including cafes, restaurants & takeaway food services, and

clothing, footwear & personal accessory retailing, which were impacted by new

social distancing regulations. Future prelim retail turnover estimates will be

published ~2 weeks prior to the advertised release of Retail Trade"