There has been some good news for battling retailers lately, as discussed by Chris Lang in an article in the Property Observer (see link below).
ABS figures showed a large increase in retailing spending in May of +0.8% followed by +1.0% in June. However, as Chris points out, most surges in retail activity have followed generous government handouts. That was the case in 2008/09 and is the case right now. The implication is that growth in retail spending will fall back in coming months. The new normal in retail spending seems to be monthly figures of +0.2% or +0.3% implying about +2.5% growth a year, i.e. roughly in line with inflation. BIS-Shrapnel forecasts an average +2.9% p.a. over the next five years, compared with the 6%+ figures that used to apply pre-GFC.
