The latest ABS Retail Trade figures show that Australian retail turnover fell 0.2% in April 2012, seasonally adjusted, following a rise of 1.1% in March 2012.

The largest contributor to the fall was Household goods retailing (-0.8%), followed by Other retailing (-0.7%), Department stores (-1.0%) and Clothing and footwear and personal accessory retailing (-0.1%). There were rises in Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (0.4%) and Food retailing (0.1%).

The state which was the largest contributor to the fall was Victoria (-1.6%), followed by Western Australia (-0.2%), Tasmania (-0.6%), the Australian Capital Territory (-0.6%) and the Northern Territory (-0.9%). There were rises in New South Wales (0.7%), South Australia (0.5%) and Queensland (0.1%).

In trend terms, turnover rose 0.3% in April 2012. This follows a rise of 0.3% in March 2012 and a rise of 0.3% in February 2012.