The Australian Bureau of Statistics released its retail sales data on Friday. Retail sales in Australia rose 0.4% in August, in line with expectations, after a 0.1% decline in July.
The increase was mainly driven by higher sales at department stores and cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services sales. Both sales at department stores and cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services sales rose 0.4% in August.
On a yearly basis, retail sales climbed 4.5% in August.