After registering a small fall in September, retail sales across Australia have managed to rise by a modest 0.3% across the country, as has been confirmed by figures shared by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. An estimated $19.75 Billion were spent by shoppers in various retail outlets for the month of October.

The highest increase was recorded by department stores at 1.9%, but these had also recorded the biggest fall in September, which stood at -2.3%.

1.1% growth in sales was also recorded by cafes, restaurants and takeaway food outlets. Food retailers and sellers of clothing items and accessories, however, recorded a decline in sales for November.

Experts have been quick to blame the slow sales growth on the Government's decisions to end the cash stimulus payments and increase interest rates.

"Broad weakness we have seen since mid year indicates that stimulus was very important in keeping the household sector afloat in the first half of the year. The impact has now passed and we have seen a fairly weak sales trend. Not enough to stop a recovery in the economy but certainly a drag at the moment", said the Commonwealth Bank's Chief Economist, Michael Blythe.