The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has reported a 1.1 per cent drop in the Australian retail turnover in October 2010, seasonally adjusted.

In its latest retail trade statistics, the largest fall for the month was recorded in cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (-4.8 per cent), which had already dropped to –0.4 per cent in the previous month.

This was followed by clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing at -4.6 per cent, other retailing at -0.2 per cent and department stores at -1.1 per cent.

Meanwhile, turnover rose in food retailing (0.6 per cent) and household goods retailing (0.5 per cent).

Also, while positive results was seen in the Northern Territory last September, it was the worst performing state this month falling a dramatic -4.9 per cent from 0.8 per cent. Victoria and Western Australia were also successful last month but didn’t score too lucky this time with turnover dropping -0.8 per cent and -0.3 per cent, respectively.

Trend turnover was relatively flat in October. This follows a revised rise of 0.1 per cent in September 2010 and a revised rise of 0.2 per cent in August 2010. In the twelve months to October 2010 trend turnover rose 2.8 per cent.