ABS figures reveal retail sales gained 0.9% to $21.2 billion in March

Retail sales rose in March according to the Australian Bureau Statistics (ABS).

The data showed Australian retail sales gained 0.9% to $21.2 billion, seasonally adjusted, as consumers spent more at cafes and restaurants.

The retail result follows an upwardly revised figure of $21 billion in February.

The ABS data also showed retail sales rose 1.8% in the quarter, seasonally adjusted, to $61.9 billion.

In trend terms cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services rose 0.8%, food retailing rose 0.2%, other retailing was up 0.6%, clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing was up 0.6%, and department stores were up 0.5%.

Household goods retailing fell 0.5% in trend terms in March 2012.

Queensland retail sales were up 0.6%, Western Australia also rose 0.8%, Victoria was up 0.3%, the Australian Capital Territory was up 0.7%, the Northern Territory 0.3% and Tasmania 0.1%.

New South Wales was the only state to fall, losing 0.1% in March.

South Australia was unchanged.