Fed: Aust retail trade falls 0.9 per cent in December - ABS

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Fed: Aust retail trade falls 0.9 per cent in December - ABS

CANBERRA, Feb 4 AAP - Retail sales figures dipped in December after a strong surgethe previous month, official figures showed today.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) said retail sales dropped 0.9 per cent inthe month to $14.46 billion, allowing for seasonal factors, following a 1.7 per cent leapin November.

The fall was largely due to a reversal in department store sales, which fell 5.5 percent in December after a strong 5.9 per cent rise in November as shoppers took advantageof pre-Christmas discounts.

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