Retail sales rose 0.2% in February on the month prior, just below expectations of a +0.3% gain according to the   Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Retail sales rose 3.6% compared to February 2024.

Performances across industries were mixed; with seasonally adjusted food retail sales lifting 0.6%. Within the food retail industry supermarket and grocery sales gained 0.6% in February, while other specialised food retail sales rose +0.8% for the period. Cafes, restaurant and takeaway food sales climbed +0.2% in February with takeaway sales lifting 1.5% for the month while cafes, restaurant and catering services sales declined 0.5%.