Inside Retail presents the Australian Retail Index.

The index gives a quick overview of retail statistics in four key categories; fashion and accessories, furniture and homewares, sporting and recreational, and other.

Key retail statistics are shown weekly, with yearly comparisons available.

The highs of the pre-Christmas retail spending frenzy have been followed by the expected lows of the post-Christmas period. Retail sales growth dropped dramatically last week when compared with the week leading up to Christmas. This follows a predictable pattern seen over many years, with the focus for retailers being just how quickly spending will return to normal levels.

Victoria and Western Australia suffered the largest declines in spending, with the other states feeling less impact. The fashion and accessories sector was hit the hardest in the downturn, followed closely by the furniture and homewares sector.

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