MNI DATA IMPACT: Australia Sales See Modest Pick-Up In May

By Lachlan Colquhoun

     SYDNEY (MNI) - Australia's retail sales rose 0.1% in May, following an

unexpected 0.1% fall in April. This came after a relatively buoyant March, when

sales were up 0.3%. The 0.1% increase for May was lower than market expectations

of 0.2%.

     Here are the key points of interest in Thursday's release by the Australian

Bureau of Statistics.

Cafes, restaurants and take-way food 

Spending in this sector continued to be strong and was up by a seasonably

adjusted 0.7% for the month. Other food retailing was down, falling 0.3%

Department stores still in doldrums 

Department store sales were again hard hit, down 0.4% in May.

Household goods in rebound 

The household goods sector has suffered as house prices have fallen, but

rebounded today by 0.5%.

Victoria on the up 

Retail sales in the second largest state of Victoria have been on the slide in

recent months, but were in positive territory in May and posted a strong rise of

0.6%. Sales in New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, were down 0.1%

after a 0.5% fall in April.

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com

--MNI Sydney Bureau; +61 405322399; email: lachlan.colquhoun.ext@marketnews.com

[TOPICS: MALDS$,M$A$$$,M$L$$$]