The retail trade survey measures the sales and stock of businesses that provide household and personal goods and services – for example car yards, petrol stations, supermarkets, cafes and restaurants, and hotels. For the March 2019 quarter compared with the December 2018 quarter (seasonally adjusted): • total volume of retail sales rose 0.7 percent, after a strong 1.7 percent rise in December • total value of retail sales rose a modest 0.2 percent ($43 million), with price effects included • 11 of the 16 regions showed higher sales for March. Sales volume spending increased for 11 of the 15 retail industries. Two ... (full story)