The Australian Bureau of Statistics released its retail sales figures on Wednesday. Retail sales in Australia rose 0.3% in March, missing expectations for a 0.4% gain, after a 0.7% increase in February.

Department stores sales jumped 3.8% in March, clothing, footwear and personal accessory sales increased 2.2%, while food sales were up 0.4%.

Household goods dropped 1.0% in March, while cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services sales plunged 1.1%.

Retail sales increased by 0.7% in the first quarter, after a 1.2% gain in the fourth quarter.

On a yearly basis, retail sales were up to 4.5% in March from 4.3% in February.

Retail sales climbed 0.7% in the state of Queensland. Retail sales declined by 0.8% in the Northern Territory.