Mastercard SpendingPulse

Boxing Day sales and domestic travel propel January retail growth

Australian retail sales increased 6.3% in January compared to the same time last year, according to the latest Mastercard SpendingPulse™, which measures in-store and online retail sales across all forms of payment.
Most retail categories maintained reasonable momentum after a record holiday spend. Lodging recorded the biggest increase in trade in January, up 15.9% compared to 12 months prior, closely followed by apparel (up 14.4%).

20 February 2023

Consumer spending stays strong in October

Australian retail sales continued to power through the pre-Christmas trading period with sales increasing 12.9% in October compared to the same time last year, with sales also up 28.2% on

18 November 2022

Research shows growing importance of positive social impact for retailers

Australian consumers expect companies to act in a more socially and environmentally responsible way and many are willing to pay more for products and services that are values aligned, according to new research from the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) in collaboration with the Queensland University of Technology (QUT).

20 October 2022

Consumer spending strong in the lead up to Christmas

Australian retail sales continue their impressive run in the lead up to Christmas with sales increasing 25.9% in September compared to the same time last year, with sales also up

19 October 2022

Travel Spending in Australia

Travel spending in Australia has been tumultuous over the past few years with closed borders, lockdowns and rising commodity prices. We welcome David Mann, Chief Economist, Asia Pacific and Middle East Africa at Mastercard to the next ARA Retail Insights webinar to provide guests with exclusive insight into the latest data from Mastercard’s Economic Institute regarding travel spending by Australians.

29 September 2022

Consumers keep spending at record levels despite cost-of-living pressures

Retail sales continued to strengthen in August, with $34.9 billion spent in stores and online – an increase of 19.2% on a year ago and up 0.6% compared to the

28 September 2022

Retail sales increase as we lap the 2021 Delta lockdowns, but consumers continue to be challenged by the rising cost of living

Retail sales continued to strengthen in July with trade increasing 17.9% compared to the same month last year, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse™, which measures in-store and online retail sales across

20 August 2022