RETAIL SALES

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 21, 24 July 1936, Page 12

RETAIL SALES

AUSTRALIAN INCREASE Although retail trades at a number of the leading . Australian city stores were .7 per cent, less than in May, .1935, they were 5.4 per cent: higher during ! the. first fivetmbnths-pf the" year than I during the corresponding period in 11935; A report prepared by the Comimonwealth Bank of Australia, in cooperation with the Retail Traders' Association's research, bureau, from figures supplied by a number of the principal city stores, stated that-the fact that stocks Were higher and fairly substantial increases were recorded in the : remuneration paid and the number of persons employed; showed that preparations had been made foi additional trade in May, but the results were not up to expectations. Increased sales, compared with May, 1935, were recorded in the fashion departments, fancy drapery, boots and shoes, furniture, soft furnishings, electrical goods, and fancy goods departments. Every other section recorded lower sales, the fall being most pronounced in the piece goods and musical instrument sections. In the 12 months ended May 31, sales increased by 5.6 per cent., remuneration paid increased by 5 percent., and the average number of employees increased by 5.2 per cent, compared with the previous 12 months.