Tasmanians staying and spending at home because of coronavirus-driven travel restrictions look to be helping retailers build a run of strong sales figures.
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Retail spending has been on an upward trend since last year's short and sharp recession, although sales appeared to drop back a little in June.
State Treasury analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics figures to May showed Tasmanian retail spending was trending up for both essential items (such as food and clothes) and discretionary items (needs rather than wants).
That all makes sense to experienced Burnie retailer Alison Poke.
Mrs Poke, of gifts and homewares business Indigo House, said some customers told her about being unable to travel.
She said the pandemic and travel restrictions had let to people increasingly wanting to make their home their "safe haven".
Part of that was buying things they liked for their homes.
"Everyone has got a house," she said.
"What you want is to make it your home.
"You want to walk in and smile."
Mrs Poke said the local lockdown last year led to big sales of home fragrances to help people lift their spirits.
"And there are a lot of new builds and people changing properties," she said.
"They always want new things.
"We provide the little things that provide the personal touch; the things that represent you."
Describing sales figures as encouraging, Mrs Poke praised the community for supporting local stores during the pandemic period.
"They really stepped up," she said.
"I'm really proud of the way the community supports local shops and, in turn, we can then support the community back by supporting local schools, local charities and local fundraisers."
The ABS estimated Tasmanian retail turnover fell by 1.6 per cent in June and national turnover by 1.8 per cent in seasonally adjusted terms.
Tasmania's estimated June sales total of $644.3 million was the sixth highest on record.
All 15 of the state's monthly totals of more than $600 million on record came in the most recent 16 months for which figures have been released.
The only exception was April last year, as the pandemic rocked the state, movement restrictions ramped up and thousands of Tasmanians were thrown out of work.
Job numbers have recovered.