Retail sales in Australia experienced a month-on-month increase of 0.2% in February 2025. This follows a 0.3% rise recorded in the previous month and fell short of market expectations, which forecast a 0.3% gain. The increase was primarily buoyed by spending in the food sector, with notable contributions from food retailing, which grew by 0.6% following a 0.7% rise in January, and cafes, restaurants, and takeaway food services, which saw a modest increase of 0.2% compared to a 1.1% uptick previously.