Australian retail spending rose 0.5pc in April

SYDNEY - Australian retail spending rose in April, despite record high petrol prices during the month, a private survey showed today.

The Cashcard Retail Activity Index, which is based on debit card usage, rose a seasonally adjusted 0.5 per cent in April, but was 0.4 per cent lower than a year earlier.

"April is in fact a 28-day trading month this year, taking into account the two days of Easter," said Greg Nash, managing director, First Data International - Australia, New Zealand and South Asia.

"When you factor in the impact of a shorter month, April transactions look quite healthy and in fact contribute to a consistent and quite positive pattern of growth."

In raw terms, A$17.1 billion ($20.79 billion) was spent through debit transactions in April, a 0.7 per cent decrease from March, but up 1.5 per cent on April 2005.

First Data is the parent company of Cashcard Australia.

- REUTERS