TASMANIAN retail sales hit another all-time record in March, despite ongoing weakness in food sales.
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Sales grew by $1.1 million to $493.1 million in March, trend terms Australian Bureau of Statistics showed.
That was a 17th consecutive monthly increase since sales of $465.6 million in October 2014.
It came despite very weak recent turnover data for the biggest category, food, which is dominated by supermarkets and grocery stores.
Food retail notched $206 million in turnover in March, which was up by $100,000 but $1.2 million weaker than in March 2015.
Sales from cafes, restaurants and takeaways climbed by $400,000, as did sales of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and toiletries.
– SEAN FORD
