Source: ABC News

Story By: Michael Janda

Official figures show retail sales slipped in May, while building approvals also fell steeply.

The Bureau of Statistics seasonally adjusted retail sales figures show turnover fell 0.6 per cent in May, giving up part of a strong 1.2 per cent rise in April.

A poll by Reuters showed economists were, on average, forecasting retail sales growth of 0.3 per cent.

Turnover fell most in 'other retailing' (down 1.6 per cent), food retailing (down 0.4 per cent), clothing, footwear and personal accessories (falling 1.8 per cent), department stores (down 1.4 per cent) and household goods (easing 0.2 per cent).

In contrast, turnover rose 0.4 per cent for cafes, restaurants and takeaways.

New South Wales (-1.2 per cent) and Victoria (-1.1 per cent) had the biggest declines in retail turnover, while Western Australia recorded the only substantial rise (up 0.8 per cent).

On a longer time frame, the trend for retail sales has risen over the past three months, and sales are up a modest 2.4 per cent on May last year.

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