In February, Australian retail sales increased slightly for the second consecutive month. The rise was attributed to a recent interest rate cut and decreased inflation, which positively impacted consumer sentiment and purchasing ability. Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) revealed that retail sales grew by 0.2% in February compared to a 0.3% increase in January, slightly below the anticipated 0.3% rise. The total sales reached A$37.1 billion, up 3.6% from the previous year. The increase was mainly driven by higher demand for food and dining out, while purchases of household goods declined following year-end sales promotions.