date:Feb 10, 2014
hat the Index was 4.2 per cent higher in December 2013 compared with December 2012, up from an increase of 1.9 per cent between September 2013 and September 2012. On a quarterly basis, the Index was 4 per cent higher in the December 2013 quarter compared with the December 2012 quarter.
The AFGC said the strengthening rate of growth suggested the Christmas trading period in 013 may have been better than analysts had expected for retailers.
The Index suggested this upswing is likely to sustain t