2010.08.3022:57:00UTC+00Australia Retail Sales Jump 0.7% In July

Australian retail sales expanded more than expected in July led by higher sales in cafes, restaurants & takeaway food services, figures showed on Tuesday.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics said retail sales increased 0.7% compared to June to A$20.4 billion, compared to a revised 0.4% increase in the previous month. Economists had forecast another 0.4% rise.

Sales at cafes, restaurants & takeaway food services increased 5.3% in July, while food retailing rose 0.4%. On the other hand, household goods retailing fell 1.7%.

Victoria recorded the biggest increase in retail sales, up 1.7%. Sales in Queensland rose 1.5%, while those in Western Australia slid 1.8%.

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