Dining out signals economic promise
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1/09/2010 4:30:00 AM
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Australian Bureau of Statistics retail sales and approved dwellings figures for July have underscored Australian economic buoyancy amid ongoing threats posed by a shaky global economy.
Retail turnover rose by a seasonally adjusted 0.7% in July according to the ABS, following on from a 0.4% increase in June and a revised 0.4% increase in May. The growth in sales was propelled by spending in cafes, restaurants and on takeaway food, which jumped by 5.3%.
Meanwhile, the total number of houses and apartments approved for construction increased by 2.3% during the month in seasonally adjusted terms, halting a three month decline over previous months.
The figures have increased the likelihood of further interest rate hikes by the Reserve Bank later this year.
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