Overall retail turnover increased by $2.1 million to a record $554 million, according to trend terms figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Tasmania's growth rate of 0.4 per cent for the month was the strongest of any state or territory, with turnover in the others either growing or flat.

National sales rose by 0.4 per cent in seasonally adjusted terms.

State Treasurer Peter Gutwein said: "Our plan to grow the economy and create jobs is working, with retail trade growing yet again in August, up 0.4 per cent since July and 1.7 per cent over the year, to a record $554 million for the month in trend terms."

It was possible the recent growth related to federal tax cuts flowing into the system.

On Tuesday, when announcing another cut to the cash rate, Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe said the national economy expanded by 1.4 per cent in the year to the June quarter, which was weaker than expected.

"A gentle turning point, however, appears to have been reached, with economic growth a little higher over the first half of this year than over the second half of 2018," Dr Lowe said.

"The low level of interest rates, recent tax cuts, ongoing spending on infrastructure, signs of stabilisation in some established housing markets and a brighter outlook for the resources sector should all support growth.

"The main domestic uncertainty continues to be the outlook for consumption, with the sustained period of only modest increases in household disposable income continuing to weigh on consumer spending."

Turnover at Tasmanian supermarkets and grocery stores was estimated to have increased by $500,000 in August to a record $215.8 million.