Retail turnover and dwelling approvals rose in May, according to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data.
Australian retail turnover rose 0.2 percent, following a flat month in April, while the total number of dwellings approved rose 3.2 percent in May to 15,212.
ABS Head of Business Statistics Robert Ewing said the rise in retail spending was driven mainly by a bounce-back in clothing purchases.
“Retail spending was otherwise restrained this month, with a drop in food-related spending and flat results across household goods,” Mr Ewing said.
ABS Head of Construction Statistics Daniel Rossi said private dwellings, excluding houses, rose 11.3 percent in May, which drove the overall increase in dwellings approved.
“Private sector houses had a smaller increase, rising 0.5 percent,” Mr Rossi said.
He said that rise in private sector house approvals (to 9454 dwellings) followed a 5.9 percent rise in April.
“The May rise brought private house approvals up to the highest level since October 2024.”
Mr Rossi said the 11.3 percent rise in apartment approvals followed a 19 percent fall in April.
He said the result was 11.9 percent higher than one year ago.
“In original terms, approvals for apartments rose 40.1 per cent, driving the overall rise in the series.”
