Italian soccer festival provides kick to WA spending
Bankwest data indicates Perth’s week-long celebration of Italian soccer coincided with stronger recreation, restaurant and bar spending as Western Australians embraced sport, dining and entertainment in August.
- During the approximate comparable Calcio Italiano period (1-11 August), recreation spend including venue and ticketing, increased 10.3% year-on-year, while restaurant and bar spend rose 10%.
- Total customer spend increased 7.0% year-on-year, while average spend rose 6.9% and customer numbers were broadly steady, up 0.1% compared to August last year.
- In August the restaurant and bar category was among the strongest performing sectors, with total spend up 15.9%.
- Customer numbers fell slightly (-0.9%) and total spending decreased (-0.7%) compared with the previous month, although average spend per customer increased marginally (+0.2%).
Where West Australians are spending
- Sporting and toy stores recorded the strongest year-on-year growth in total spend, up 24.2%, followed by electric appliances at 17.2% and restaurants and bars at 15.9%.
- Recreation recorded 7.6% year-on-year growth in the number of unique customers transacting.
Generational snapshot – August (year-on-year)
- Gen Z led total spending growth at 13.4%, followed by Millennials at 8.3%, Gen X at 6.7% and Baby Boomers at 0.2%.
- Average transaction values increased across every generation, led by Millennials at 7.3%, Gen Z at 7.0%, Gen X at 5.6% and Baby Boomers at 3.8%.
Comments attributable to Bankwest General Manager, Product, Pricing & Analytics, Lynn Da Silva
“August data shows Perth’s Italian soccer festival aligned with not only stronger recreation spends including ticketing and venue spending but also wider increased restaurant and bar spending.
“Overall spending was up on last August, but customers remain considered with their money, with growth focused on experiences, entertainment and selected retail categories.
“Millennials recorded the strongest increase in average spend, with dining and bar spending data revealing that they continue to prioritise social experiences, as many customers remain thoughtful about spending.”
| Category | Change increase in total spend from 1-11 August 2025 v 1-11 August 2026 |
|---|---|
| Recreation (including stadium spending and ticketing spending) | +10.3% |
| Restaurants and bars | +10.0% |
Overall transaction change
Month-on-Month (July 26 v Aug 26)
-0.9%
Total Spend Change
-0.7%
Average Spend Change
0.2%
Year-on-Year (Aug 25 v Aug 26)
Number of Customers Transacting
0.1%
Total Spend Change
7.0%
Average Spend Change
6.9%
Where Western Australians are spending
Month-on-Month
Biggest Growth in Number of Unique Customers Transacting
Education
12.3%
Hardware
2.5%
Interior Furnishings
1.2%
Smallest Growth in Number of Unique Customers Transacting
Auto Rental
-7.3%
Hotel/Motel
-7.2%
Repair Shops
-7.0%
Year-on-Year
Biggest Growth in Number of Unique Customers Transacting
21.2%
Recreation
7.6%
Education
7.3%
Smallest Growth in Number of Unique Customers Transacting
Interior Furnishings
-19.9%
Pharmacies
-4.2%
Petrol Stations
-4.0%
Month-on-Month top 3 sectors by…
Biggest Growth in Total Spend
Other Services
15.4%
Petrol Stations
7.4%
Repair Shops
6.2%
Smallest Growth in Total Spend
Auto Rental
-14.4%
Hotel/Motel
-13.3%
Professional Services
-9.1%
Biggest Growth in Average Transaction
Other Services
14.8%
Repair Shops
14.2%
Petrol Stations
9.3%
Smallest Growth in Average Transaction
Education
-17.3%
Auto Rental
-7.7%
Recreation
-7.7%
Year-on-Year top 3 sectors by…
Biggest Growth in Total Spend
Sporting/Toy Stores
24.2%
Electric Appliance
17.2%
Restaurants/Bars
15.9%
Smallest Growth in Total Spend
Interior Furnishings
-10.9%
Vehicles
-3.2%
Other Transport
-1.1%
Biggest Growth in Average Transaction
Petrol Stations
16.7%
Restaurants/Bars
15.6%
Miscellaneous Stores
12.2%
Smallest Growth in Average Transaction
Education
-7.4%
Other Transport
-2.4%
Mail Order
-2.3%
Generational snapshot
Year-on-Year growth values by generation from August 25 to August 26
| Unique Customers | Total Spend | Average Transaction | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers | -4.0% | 0.2% | 3.8% |
| Gen X | 0.1% | 6.7% | 5.6% |
| Millennials | -0.1% | 8.3% | 7.3% |
| Gen Z | 3.5% | 13.4% | 7.0% |
Highest growth by generation from August 25 to August 26
| Unique Customers – Most Growth | Total Spend – Most Growth | Average Value – Most Growth | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers | Sporting/Toy Stores 15.1% |
Miscellaneous Stores 12.5% |
Petrol Stations 17.6% |
| Gen X | Sporting/Toy Stores 18.4% |
Auto Rental 18.9% |
Petrol Stations 17.2% |
| Millennials | Sporting/Toy Stores 24.2% |
Sporting/Toy Stores 32.4% |
Restaurants/Bars 16.5% |
| Gen Z | Sporting/Toy Stores 21.7% |
Repair Shops 65.9% |
Repair Shops 64.8% |
Lowest growth by generation from August 25 to August 26
| Unique Customers – Least Growth | Total Spend – Least Growth | Average Value – Least Growth | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers | Interior Furnishings -28.1% |
Interior Furnishings -17.4% |
Repair Shops -13.5% |
| Gen X | Interior Furnishings -20.5% |
Interior Furnishings -10.3% |
Mail Order -8.8% |
| Millennials | Interior Furnishings -18.2% |
Interior Furnishings -10.7% |
Other Transport -5.7% |
| Gen Z | Interior Furnishings -7.7% |
Education -19.4% |
Education -18.1% |
Sector |
Examples |
|---|---|
| Airlines | Self-explanatory |
| Auto Rental | Self-explanatory (general and commercial) |
| Clothing Stores | Single-brand stores, as opposed to multi-brand Department Store retailers |
| Department Stores | Large department stores and chains, not including discount department stores |
| Discount Stores | Discount department stores and budget lifestyle and homeware retailers |
| Electrical Appliance | Whitegoods retailers, home entertainment stores, mobile and computing device outlets, computer games, digital and AI subscriptions including AI generative chatbots |
| Food Stores/Warehouses | Includes Grocery Stores, as well as wholesale food distribution warehouses |
| Hardware | Hardware retailers and chains, landscaping specialists, home DIY retailers |
| Hotels/Motels | Self-explanatory |
| Other Retail | Online marketplaces, online arms of bricks-and-mortar retailers, discount department stores, liquor stores |
| Other Services | Courier services, public administration, newspaper subscriptions, roadside assistance companies |
| Other Transport | Public transport, ride sharing companies, taxis, private and public paid parking |
| Pharmacies | Self-explanatory |
| Professional Services | All types of insurance, waste disposal services |
| Recreation | Stadiums and venues, ticketing, cinema and leisure activities |
| Repair Shops | Cobblers, tailors, electrical appliance repairs, watchmakers, mobile phone repairs |
| Restaurants/Bars | Self-explanatory |
| Service Stations | Self-explanatory |
| Sporting/Toy Stores | Non-digital game retailers, outdoor recreation stores, sporting goods, apparel, and footwear outlets |
| Travel Agencies | Self-explanatory (online and bricks-and-mortar) |
| Utilities | Typical utility services, streaming services |
| Vehicles | Automotive dealerships, automotive and car care accessory retailers, repairs, and servicing |
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