The RBA's decision to hold interest rates at 3.75 per cent rise will give retailers a chance to post consistent growth after a year of tough trade, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has claimed.

In a statement issued on February 3, ARA executive director Russell Zimmerman said the RBA had listened to retailers' concerns that interest rate rises in February would have negatively affected retailers yet to feel the impact of three consecutive rate rises from October last year.

"Today the RBA has acknowledged February as the toughest month for consumers and retailers - particularly in light of the fact full impacts of interest rate rises in October (0.25), November (0.25) and December (0.25) last year will take three to six months to flow through to the retail sector.

"Retail trade has been very patchy for the past twelve months but the hold on any interest rate rises will give retailers some breathing space and a fair go at getting back onto their feet through solid, consistent growth outside of the traditionally higher trading figures of the festive season.

"The RBA has also given consumers time to recoup some expenses from the financial strain of credit card bills from the festive season and back to school costs before implementing yet another rate rise," Zimmerman said.

 

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