Australian retail turnover decreased 1.8% in June 2021, seasonally adjusted, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) preliminary retail trade figures released on Wednesday.
This follows a 0.4% increase in May, which saw a strong performance out of food retailing, offset by declines across household and retailing sectors.
Let's take a closer look at last month's retail trade and how related ASX 200 shares are performing.
June retail trade results
Sweeping lockdown measures across the country saw retail turnover slide 3.5% in Victoria and 2% in New South Wales.
The ABS said that "Victoria's fall this month is larger than the fall seen in May when the state commenced Stage 4 COVID-10 restrictions".
The preliminary figures highlight food retailing as the only industry to deliver an increase in June. While every other industry fell, as "COVID-19 restrictions curtailed foot traffic and household movements, while retailers moved back to online distribution channels."
The ASX 200 shares winning are …
Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)
The Woolworths share price has been a solid performer this year, up 14.87%.
Shares in the supermarket giant managed to set new record highs in both June and July, with a record close on Tuesday of $38.93.
Perhaps what's more impressive is the fact that the Woolworths share price has tipped higher in every single trading session this week.
Woolworths has managed to swim against the tide, where the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) tumbled 1.31% between Monday and Tuesday.
More recently developments for Woolworths include a significant push towards digitalisation, including the launch of its stand-alone payments system, Wpay and trailing a new digital feature called "Everyday Pay".
Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)
The Coles share price is making a slow and steady resurgence back to positive year-to-date territory.
Coles shares are still down 6.32% year-to-date but have so far managed to push 4.41% higher since June.
The main catalyst behind the weakness in Coles was during the February reporting season, where the company flagged that:
Depending on COVID-19, vaccine roll out and efficacy, and other factors, sales in the supermarket sector may moderate significantly or even decline in the second half of FY21 and into FY22.
