Retailers didn't get Christmas cash

National retail figures show retailers missed out on a Christmas boost, putting the industry on the back foot as it heads into the slowest retail quarter of the year.

Image: Retailers missed out on a Christmas boost last year.

Retailers in Ipswich and Australia wide will be hoping to buck the trend and thrive in coming months.

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show a 0.1% decrease over December 2011, well below the 0.5% boost retailers had been hoping for.

Australian National Retailers Association chief executive Margy Osmond said it was a poor finish to 2011.

"Retailers needed a good Christmas in 2011, particularly after the dismal outcomes seen at Christmas 2010," Ms Osmond said.

"On average, retail figures in 2011 were improved on 2010, but it was a very poor finish to the year.

"ANRA's surveying at the end of 2011 indicated Australians were coming back to the stores, but the reality is people were still cautious at Christmas.

Ms Osmond said there were a few bright spots in the areas of clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing.

Sunshine Coast Daily reports

Did you notice a curb in spending over the holiday season?

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