Comparing retail categories using consistent definitions

Compare Australian retail categories by first deciding whether the figure classifies a business or a household purchase. The former Retail Trade, Australia publication classified business turnover by industry, while the Monthly Household Spending Indicator (MHSI) classifies household consumption by purpose using COICOP. Compare like with like within each classification rather than pairing labels that sound similar.

Decide whether you mean businesses or products

Retail Trade, Australia presented turnover by industry, with six industry groups at its broadest level. Businesses were classified by the group and subgroup in which they mainly operated, so sales of other products could appear in that business’s industry turnover.

The MHSI groups household consumption by purpose and publishes outputs for nine COICOPs. It classifies what households consume, not the main industry of the business that sold it.

For business turnover, match industry groups and business coverage; for household spending, match product categories and household coverage. Within a series, keep the category definition, dates and adjustment basis consistent.

Retail Trade, Australia vs Monthly Household Spending Indicator: Key Differences

Check the category edges

The ABS guide Interpreting the Monthly Household Spending Indicator, released on 27 March 2025, illustrates the difference with supermarket spending. For every $100 spent in supermarkets, the ABS estimates that about $70–$80 is spent on food: Retail Trade counted the full $100 in the Food retailing industry group, while household consumption counted $70–$80 as Food products.

The guide gives examples of other products in the remainder: cosmetics under Miscellaneous goods and services, pet food under Recreation and culture, and alcohol under Alcoholic beverages and tobacco. The example shows why a supermarket industry figure and a household product category do not have matching boundaries.

Supermarket Spending Breakdown: Business vs Household View

Distinguish household spending from business turnover

The Retail Trade, Australia methodology for June 2025 says industry statistics use the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC), catalogue number 1292.0. That release, dated 31 July 2025, has ceased; the ABS guide says the Retail Trade publication was discontinued from July 2025.

The guide identifies two replacement views: the MHSI provides a product view using COICOP, while the Monthly Business Turnover Indicator provides an industry view using ANZSIC. The MHSI methodology for August 2026 says its data sources are not designed for statistical purposes and its scope varies from Retail Trade turnover estimates.

MHSI data come from bank card transactions, supermarket transactions and new vehicle sales, with coverage adjustments made to align the indicator with Household Final Consumption Expenditure (HFCE). Check coverage as well as classification before comparing figures across the MHSI and a turnover series.

ABS Replacement Series for Retail Data Post-July 2025

Record the comparison

Before calculating growth or shares, note the publication, classification and level, category label, coverage, geography, dates and adjustment basis. Retail Trade data were available for Australia and states and territories, and the MHSI provides Australia totals and state and territory data.

The MHSI is benchmarked to annual HFCE and adjusted monthly to cover data gaps such as cash spending. Record those adjustments when comparing figures, and use matching numerator and denominator definitions for a share.

Describe a result at the level observed: growth in turnover for a defined retail industry group is a statement about that business group. It does not establish that every business in the group grew.

For a product-level question, use a suitable product series or a documented mapping from retailer records. Label the result as product spending rather than business turnover.

Key Steps When Comparing Retail Categories