Electrical goods retailing increased 9.2 per cent in September 2014 driven by purchases of the much anticipated release of the iPhone 6, the ABS reported.
As a whole, Australian retail turnover rose 1.2 per cent in September 2014, seasonally adjusted, following a rise of 0.1 per cent in August 2014.
The largest contributor to the rise was household goods retailing, growing 4.1 per cent, within that category electrical and electronic goods retailing was up 9.2 per cent.
This turnaround is good news for electrical retailers, after the August retail numbers from the ABS showed within the household goods retailing category, the seasonally adjusted estimate fell for electrical and electronic goods retailing by 0.8 per cent.
National Retail Association CEO Trevor Evans said the figures were a further welcome sign of confidence among Australian consumers and were a good sign for the upcoming Christmas period.
“We’re clearly headed into the most important trading period in the year for retailers,” Evans said.
“What happens in the coming months will determine the success or otherwise of the entire year ahead for many retailers.
“Strong spending means strong performance by Australian businesses and that means more jobs for locals. That’s why this positive growth trend is so welcome,” he said.
Australian Retailers Association Executive Director Russell Zimmerman was also optimistic for a strong Christmas period.
“Overall, September’s results are certainly a positive sign for the retail sector and we remain hopeful that December (year on year) sales will achieve 6 per cent growth.
“Pre-Christmas sales are almost upon us and it is now imperative that the Federal Government and RBA do all that they can to ensure that retail trade is fully supported. The festive season is an extremely important time for retailers to make up for what has been a tough year in business,” Zimmerman said.