Tasmanians are continuing to spend more money in the state with the latest retail figures revealing a $506 million turnover for October.
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The Australian Bureau of Statistics retail trade report shows the state has maintained figures above $500 million for six months in a row and turnover has increased by 3.9 per cent over the past 12 months.
Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Michael Bailey said he wasn’t surprised by the growth.
“The numbers are showing what businesses have been saying to me for a long time,” he said.
“Confidence is strong right around the state but the conversations with our members shows confidence in Launceston and the North has certainly lifted.”
Mr Bailey said northern businesses had been reporting 20 to 25 per cent increases in October alone.
Leading into Christmas, he said it was positive to see people spending locally.
“There’s a really strong theme throughout the state around supporting local businesses. We will be calling for people to continue that support throughout the Christmas period.”
The ABS figures showed the state’s retail figures have been increasing since at least August 2015.
Profiting from the latest growth are “traditional” retail businesses, Mr Bailey said.
“We know that food retail has been strong for a long time but our traditional retailers … they face impacts from online sales …so it’s pleasing to see them benefiting.
“I really do believe that Tasmanians are confident about their state and the future of Tasmania and that shows in their local spending.”
Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business Roger Jaensch said while confidence continued to grow in the sector, there was still more work to be done to create jobs and grow our economy.