Retail sales rose by 0.7% in the March quarter with gains spread across a number of categories. That followed a strong 1.7% gain last quarter. The result was close to market expectations and market reaction to the release was muted. Q1 real retail sales (volumes): +0.7% (Prev: +1.7%) Westpac f/c: +0.8%, market f/c: +0.6% Q1 real core sales (volumes): +0.7% (Prev: +2.0%) Annual change – total real retail spending (volumes): +3.3% % (Prev: +3.5%) Retail spending rose by 0.7% in the March quarter. That was another solid gain following a very strong end to 2018. Today’s result leaves spending levels up 3.3% over the past ... (full story)