Retail sector reports growth

Local retail businesses have reported an increase in sales concurrent with the strong sales growth the Australian retail market has reported for the end of 2015.

This comes after the Australian Bureau of Statics released its results showing a 4 per cent growth in December sales compared to 2014.

The official National Christmas Trade figure for 2015 came in at $44.63 billion.

Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Russ Clark said most businesses enjoyed a slight improvement over the calendar year, but overall not a record amount.

"It was a mixed bag and not everyone enjoyed increased retail sales, but generally across the board there was an improvement in the Albany region," he said.

"Some (businesses) were up and some down, but the majority are slightly increased on the year before."

Mr Clark said strong agriculture seasons improved the sector for agricultural retail while local wineries also contributed to the industry growth.

"There were good results in the wine sector - a lot of local wines won awards - but the underlying factor for the Albany economy is the agriculture sector," he said.

"Some businesses in the food and beverage industry had good improvements and some had the same results as past years."