Australian retail sales figures have continued to rise in February 2014, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Australian retailer turnover rose 4.8 per cent in February 2014, seasonally adjusted, compared to February 2013.

The result comes off the back of 6.2 per cent growth in January 2014.

Month on month sales growth rose 0.2 per cent to to $22.97 billion following  a 1.2 per cent rise in January 2014.

The state with the highest  growth was Victoria, 0.5 per cent; followed by Western Australia, 0.4 per cent; New South Wales, 0.1 per cent; Queensland, 0.1 per cent.

South Australia remained the same, while ACT and Tasmania reported falls of 0.1 per cent and 0.6 per cent respectively.

Household goods was the strongest performing category for the month at 2.0 per cent followed by other retailing, 1.9 per cent; cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services, 0.1 per cent; and clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing, 0.1 per cent. Food retailing decreased by 0.2 per cent while department stores were the hit the hardest reporting a 4.7 per cent decline.

ARA executive director, Russell Zimmerman, said it was great to see such strong trade results for February, following a particularly impressive month of post-Christmas sales in January.

“It is also no surprise that household goods and other retailing were large contributors to February results, with Valentine’s Day being a major celebratory occasion.”