The Retail Score, an Australian data warehousing and analytical services provider, has launched a new Performance and Benchmark data service, The Retail Score Index, aimed at the Australian Specialty Retail sector. The service has already garnered commitments from over 100 retail brands, covering more than 3,500 retail locations across Australia. The data service will be included in the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) weekly newsletter.

The Retail Score Index is designed to fill the information gap left by the Australian Bureau of Statistics' decision to change its approach to recording retail trade data in 2025. The Index provides detailed industry reporting for specialty retail areas such as fashion, home, leisure, and other discretionary categories. The service aggregates data from thousands of retail locations, including physical stores, online platforms, outlets, and concessions, and provides weekly updates.

"The Retail Index comes at an important juncture for the retail sector. With the Australian Bureau of Statistics changing its approach to recording retail trade data in 2025, the industry is facing an information gap. Data relating to retail trends is essential for our sector, and helps our members make informed decisions that reflect the real-time preferences of shoppers," said Paul Zahra, CEO of the ARA.

The Retail Score Index offers insights into performance benchmarking, property analysis, purchasing behaviour, and pricing and promotion. Retailers interested in accessing this service must agree to include their data.

"As one of Australia's largest industries, the retail sector boasts an annual value exceeding $400 billion. Historically, retailers have relied on the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Retail Trade information for monthly performance benchmarks. However, with the ABS discontinuing this publication in 2025, there is a pressing need for alternative data sources," said Wayne Rigney, Co-Founder and Director of The Retail Score.

"More interestingly, the average sell price is UP over 3.7% YTD as are the Gross Margins % and the YTD drop in Gross Margin $ is only 0.6%. It’s those Gross Margin $ that pay the bills and this is the kind of insight the Retail Score Index can provide that differentiates it from other consumer and retail sentiment data sets," added Rigney.

"This is something that has been challenging for many retailers, and if everyone gets behind this, it will only make the Index better," said Zahra.

"We power the analytics and reporting for over 100 retailers. We create a critical benchmark for the retail industry. Retailers can get the greatest return from our data insights," concluded Rigney.