Retail turnover has grown by 1.3 per cent in February, according to the latest figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The latest figures show that retail grew by a healthy 4.6 per cent from the same period last year.

Food retailing led the charge, accounting for the largest single increase, accounting for 1.1 per cent of the increase. Household goods accounted 1.6 per cent of the annual growth, while other retailing accounted for 1.6 per cent. Cafes, restaurants and takeaway services accounted 1.3 per cent.

Department stores also posted a health growth, recording 1.6 per cent, while clothing, footware, personal accessory retailing grow by 1.2 per cent.

The state which was the largest contributor to the rise was New South Wales (1.4 per cent), followed by Queensland (1.9 per cent), Victoria (1.1 per cent), Western Australia (1.8 per cent) and the Australian Capital Territory (2.6 per cent). These rises were partially offset by falls in South Australia (-0.4 per cent), the Northern Territory (-1.4 per cent) and Tasmania (-0.6 per cent). Over the longer term, Queensland was the strongest contributor to growth (up 0.6 per cent in trend terms). 

The full data set can be found here

http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/8501.0