When the economy begins to suffer, one of the first industries usually effected is retail.

Despite the fact that fuel prices are rising and interest rates have increased, Australian shoppers broke this trend and spent more in May than previous months. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics(ABS), retail sales improved in May by 0.7 percent after figuring in seasonal adjustments. This came after a 0.1 percent decrease in sales in April, which was the worst for that time of year since 2000.

Increased sales means there is a greater possibility that area retailers will create new Perth jobs. With data showing that the industry has bounced back somewhat, employers are less likely to be concerned about eliminating excess staff. If figures continue to be favorable, there is a good chance that they may even see need for new hires.

Sally Auld, who is the ANZ co-head of Australian economics, says that this information “suggests the consumer hasn’t completely rolled over in the face of high petrol prices and job losses.” Despite the good news for retail, Auld says that the recent data could cause the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to hike interest rates up even higher.

“It’s a salient reminder that if the RBA senses the economy is stabilizing at all, they’ll pounce on top of it,” she warned. “They’ll raise rates again … there’s a good chance we’ll see one in the second half of the year.”

According to the Bureau of Statistics, all of the states experienced an increase in growth in the industry during the month of May, but Western Australia did not top the list. Tasmania had the greatest increase of 1.3 percent, seconded by Queensland with a raise of 1.2 percent, then South Australia where retail sales increased by 1.0 percent.