The total volume of retail sales rose 1.1 percent.

11 of the 15 retail industries had higher sales volumes.

Hardware, building, and garden supplies had the largest increase, up 4.7 percent after a subdued 0.6 percent increase in the March 2018 quarter.

Food and beverage services rose 1.7 percent, rebounding from a 1.0 percent fall in the March 2018 quarter.

Department stores (up 2.8 percent), and electrical and electronic goods (up 2.0 percent), were the next notable increases.

Supermarket and grocery stores had the largest fall, down 1.1 percent after a 1.0 percent rise in the March 2018 quarter.

The fuel industry had a 0.7 percent fall in sales volume, its fourth consecutive quarterly fall.