Inside Retail presents the Australian Retail Index.

The index gives a quick overview of retail statistics in four key categories; fashion and accessories, furniture and homewares, sporting and recreational, and other.

Key retail statistics are shown weekly, with yearly comparisons available.

The expected reduction in retail spending in the week after Mother’s Day has bitten harder than expected with retail sales growth down by 6.23 per cent compared to the same week last year.

The same week in 2014 saw a reduction in spending of just 2.08 per cent, bringing into question just how much the Federal Budget announcements have impacted consumer spending.

We will certainly need many more weeks to know for certain, however retailers across the country will be hoping for some positive results in the near future.