Stimulus payments flow through to retail

Australian families are taking to the shops to spend the first of the government’s multibillion dollar stimulus payments.

The Daily Telegraph reports that several retailers have already reported a surge in sales just days after the government’s first round of payments were released.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Big W recorded sales 30% higher last Thursday than the same day in 2008 – when the economy was running at full speed.

Children’s clothing was particularly popular with the volume of sold kidswear increasing 50% on Thursday compared to the corresponding day last year.