Australian retail spending increased 5.1% YoY in April, with households spending A$39.07bn ($27.97bn) across the retail sector, according to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Household Spending Indicator. The figure was up from $37.18bn ($26.62bn) in April 2025, reflecting continued consumer spending despite ongoing cost-of-living pressures and elevated interest rates. The strongest annual spending growth was recorded in other retailing, which increased 8%, followed by clothing, footwear and personal accessories at 7.4% and household goods at 6.5%. Department stores and major online retailers recorded growth of 6.1%, whilst spending at cafes, restaurants and takeaway food outlets rose 5.7%. Food retailing increased 2.4%