The Australian --- Page: 19 : 5 January 2007 Original article by Blair Speedy
ABIX Summary
The Cashcard Retail Activity Index recorded a 25 per cent rise in retail spending during December 2006. Shoppers spent a record $A23.7 billion during the month and the Australian Retailers' Association (ARA) claims spending appears to have reached the $A33 billion it forecast for the entire Christmas trading period. Spending was particularly strong over the three days before 25 December, rising 50 per cent higher than average on 22 and 23 December and 66 per cent above average on 24 December. ARA spokesman, Duncan Shaw, says items such as perfume and consumer electronic goods sold well in the lead-up to Christmas.
