September retail sales slipped 2.5%

That's excluding motor vehicles.

According to a release, retail sales (seasonally adjusted) increased 0.5% in September 2013, mainly due to
strong motor vehicles sales, compared to August 2013. However, excluding motor vehicles, retail sales decreased 2.5%.

Compared to September 2012, retailers of motor vehicles and telecommunications apparatus & computers reported double-digit sales declines of 26.3% and 13.4% respectively in September 2013. Retail sales of furniture & household equipment and wearing apparel & footwear also decreased 5.9% and 1.4% respectively. 

In contrast, turnover of food & beverages, medical goods & toiletries, recreational goods, optical goods & books, department stores and petrol service stations increased between 1.7% and 5.4% in September 2013 over September 2012.