Australia’s Retail Sales Rise 0.2% in May, Miss Market Forecasts

Australia’s Retail Sales Rise 0.2% in May, Miss Market Forecasts

Retail spending in Australia rose by 0.2% month-over-month (MoM) in May, according to the latest figures released on Wednesday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The reading came in below market expectations of a 0.4% rise, suggesting consumer demand remains under pressure.

Retail Sector Shows Weak Recovery

This follows a revised -0.1% reading in April, initially reported as flat. The data suggests only a modest recovery in consumer activity despite a stable job market and resilient household income trends.

Retail sales are a key indicator of domestic demand, and any softness in the data may influence Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) expectations for future policy adjustments.

Market Implications

The AUD/USD pair showed a muted reaction to the data, with traders now turning their focus to broader economic indicators and upcoming central bank commentary for further direction.

Stay updated with Australia's Economic Data
Follow the RBA Policy Tracker