Australian retail sales rose 0.4 per cent in May, 2021, according to trade figures releases today by the ABS.

Food retail saw the biggest leap, while department stores fell, no doubt due to the previous splurges on home entertainment.

Ben James, Director of Quarterly Economy Wide Surveys, said: “The main themes from the Retail Trade Preliminary release remain relevant for the Final release. Retail turnover in May was impacted by the Victorian lockdown from May 28 onwards, as well as those states recovering from restrictions in April.”

Victorian lockdowns during May saw the state drop in four out of six industries, while Queensland and WA climbed in five out of six industries, as those states emerged from lockdowns in April.