We are a proud member of the Financial Services Online network!
Connect with us on your favourite social media platform for the latest financial news, views, tips, tricks, resources and information.
|
|
|
|
A financial derivative that gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an asset at a specified price on or before a specified date.
Retail Sector Braces for Tough Holiday Season
Retail Sector Braces for Tough Holiday Season
Over the last year and a half, the Australian retail sector has been navigating what might be described as a recession, mostly indicated by declining trade figures. This downturn presents significant obstacles for retailers as they head towards one of the busiest times of the year.
In a sobering analysis by Deloitte Access Economics, partner Dave Rumbens highlights that retail spending has consistently declined over six of the previous seven quarters. This decrease is compounded by high living costs, rising interest rates, and stagnant wage growth, leading to an overall grim economic outlook.
“We’ve seen retailers struggle significantly," said Rumbens. "Real retail turnover has dropped for eight consecutive quarters, and consumer spending has barely budged at a 1.3% increase over the past 12 months.”
Data reveals that the national real GDP growth up to March was just 1.1%, the lowest rate outside pandemic years since the 90s. According to Rumbens, this is a clear signal that Australia’s retail industry has been in a persistent recession for 18 months.
Despite the bleak outlook, this contraction in the retail sector is not surprising, given the weakening job market and the rising number of business insolvencies. “On a per capita basis, the reality is even harsher with real per capita retail spending shrinking by 2.5% compared to last year and further declining by 6.3% since June 2022,” explained Rumbens.
The "economic horror show" does not solely impact retailers; it reflects a broader economic malaise. With real consumer spending on retail down by 0.6% over the year to June, Rumbens predicts a difficult period ahead, though he remains hopeful that future years might bring some relief.
The Deloitte report underscores that new financial relief measures, including energy bill subsidies and tax cuts, might help increase disposable income and improve retail turnover. “While retailers should brace for continued challenges through the holiday season, we anticipate some gradual recovery," said Rumbens. Predictive figures show real retail turnover growth potentially rising from 0.3% in 2024 to 1.5% in both 2025 and 2026.
The recent monthly Consumer Price Index report for July shows inflation easing down to 3.5%, and underlying inflation dipping to 3.8%. Such signs might be initial indicators of economic stabilization, offering a glimmer of hope for Australian retailers.
Amidst this “new normal” of cautious and value-focused consumer behavior, the path to recovery might be slow, but not unattainable. Retailers who can adapt to the evolving economic landscape will be better positioned to overcome the tumultuous times still expected before a more stable future in 2025-26.
Published:Sunday, 1st Sep 2024
Source: Paige Estritori
Share this news item:
| Mortgage Crisis: 40% of Australian Homeowners Under Pressure 09 Sep 2024: Paige Estritori A recent study has uncovered that an alarming number of Australian households are grappling with mortgage burdens, as over 1.4 million families find themselves in financial distress. This amounts to more than 40% of current home loan holders, according to new data from Finder, a consumer finance comparison service. - read more |
| Contactless Revolution: The Decline of Cash Among Tradies 07 Sep 2024: Paige Estritori Australia is embracing a cashless economy, a trend that is significantly reshaping how tradespeople, or 'tradies,' handle transactions in their day-to-day operations. - read more |
| RBA Remains Cautious Despite Economic Slowdown 06 Sep 2024: Paige Estritori Borrowers expecting a reduction in interest rates due to sluggish economic growth might have to wait longer, as the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) prioritizes inflation management. - read more |
| NSW Cracks Down on Abuse of First-Home Buyer Benefits 02 Sep 2024: Paige Estritori More than $9 million has been reclaimed in a concerted effort by Revenue NSW to ensure the first-home buyers program remains fair and effective. This initiative comes in response to a small group of applicants attempting to exploit the system meant to aid genuine first-time homebuyers. - read more |
| Retail Sector Braces for Tough Holiday Season 01 Sep 2024: Paige Estritori As Australians continue to face a challenging cost of living crisis, economic analysts have prepared retailers for a rocky road ahead as the Christmas season approaches. - read more |
| Smart Budgeting: Building a Financially Stable Future Many Australians today find themselves navigating the choppy waters of financial instability. The burden of debt weighs heavily, affecting everything from daily stress levels to long-term planning. High interest rates, unexpected expenses, and the seductive ease of credit cards contribute to a culture of borrowing that can lead to a precarious financial situation for many. In this introduction, we explore how smart budgeting is not just about scraping by, but laying the foundations for a financially stable future. - read more
|
| How to Craft a Foolproof Financial Strategy for Debt Management Managing debt is a crucial aspect of maintaining financial well-being, yet it can often feel like a daunting task. Understanding how debt works and its potential impact on your life is the first step toward gaining control of your finances. In this section, we will delve into the intricacies of debt and outline why a solid financial strategy is essential for effective debt management. - read more
|
| Managing Your Credit Card Debt Wisely in Tough Economic Times In light of the current economic challenges facing many Australians, managing credit card debt has become more crucial than ever. With rising living costs and financial uncertainty, accruing debt on high-interest credit cards can quickly escalate from a manageable inconvenience to a stressful financial burden. - read more
|
| Busting Myths: The Misunderstanding About Debt Consolidation and Debt Reduction Welcome to our comprehensive guide where we aim to debunk common myths surrounding debt consolidation and debt reduction. This blog post serves as a beacon of clarity for those who find themselves navigating through the choppy waters of financial jargon and conflicting information. - read more
|
| How to Create a Realistic Family Budget: A Step-by-Step Guide Creating a family budget might sound daunting, but it’s an essential step toward financial wellness. It’s about understanding where your money comes from and where it goes, allowing you to make informed decisions about your spending and savings. A well-planned budget can be the key to reducing financial stress and ensuring a secure future for your family. - read more
|
|
|
Managing Your Credit Card Debt Wisely in Tough Economic Times In light of the current economic challenges facing many Australians, managing credit card debt has become more crucial than ever. With rising living costs and financial uncertainty, accruing debt on high-interest credit cards can quickly escalate from a manageable inconvenience to a stressful financial burden. - read more
|
|
|
How to Craft a Foolproof Financial Strategy for Debt Management Managing debt is a crucial aspect of maintaining financial well-being, yet it can often feel like a daunting task. Understanding how debt works and its potential impact on your life is the first step toward gaining control of your finances. In this section, we will delve into the intricacies of debt and outline why a solid financial strategy is essential for effective debt management. - read more
|