Consumers continue to spend more freely with retail trade up for the ninth straight month in January.But retail trade is only part of broader consumer...

Consumers continue to spend more freely with retail trade up for the ninth straight month in January.But retail trade is only part of broader consumer spending. We look back at the trends in spending over 2013.Aussies spent more on health, cars and housing but less on alcohol and gambling.Consumer spending will be supported over 2014 by a pickup in wages as well as higher wealth. For the full report on Consumer Spending visit: