Retail Sales Grow Three Per Cent to June 2026

A new Urbis and Shopping Centre Council of Australia report shows Australian retail sales rising and shopping centre foot traffic climbing.

Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Retail

Retail Sales Grow Three Per Cent to June 2026

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Do you still prefer going to a shopping centre over buying online?

Retail sales grew three per cent over the year to June 2026, according to a new report from Urbis and The Shopping Centre Council of Australia. Customer foot traffic at shopping centres rose two per cent nationally over the same period.

Why it matters

The figures suggest physical retail is holding steady despite the long shift toward online shopping over the past two decades. The report points to shoppers still visiting stores, which matters for centre owners and the brands that rely on them.

Retail sales grew three per cent and shopping centre foot traffic rose two per cent nationally over the year to June 2026. The extraction does not give a prior-year comparator, so it is unclear whether this pace is faster or slower than before.

The players

Urbis

Urbis is a major Australian property and advisory consultancy that publishes market research on retail and property trends.

The Shopping Centre Council of Australia

The Shopping Centre Council of Australia is the national industry body representing shopping centre owners, operators and developers.

Powerhouse Museum

The Powerhouse Museum is a major design and technology museum in Sydney with a site in Parramatta.

The details

The Urbis and Shopping Centre Council of Australia report also notes that some shopping centres have shortened opening hours over the past two decades. Brands once mainly found in department stores are now opening their own specialty stores.

Over the past two decades: some shopping centres shortened hours as online shopping grew.
Year to June 2026: retail sales grew three per cent and foot traffic rose two per cent.
7 November: The Mall exhibition opens at the Powerhouse Museum, Parramatta.

Market Landscape

The report's findings sit against the long shift of retail spending from physical stores toward online channels in Australia. Growth in shopping centre foot traffic suggests bricks-and-mortar retail is holding its place as brands expand into specialty stores.

Shoppers may notice more specialty brand stores and shopping centre activity as physical retail holds steady. Some centres have shortened opening hours, so checking trading times before visiting is worthwhile.

The takeaway

Physical retail is still drawing shoppers, so store visits remain a meaningful part of everyday spending. Checking current opening hours before a trip can save a wasted journey.