The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has warned a proposal for a fourth consecutive RBA rate rise would choke much needed consistent growth for retailers.

ARA executive director Russell Zimmerman said the possible interest rate rise is badly timed and fails to acknowledge February as the toughest month for consumers and retailers.

Retailers call on the RBA to be patient as the full impact of any interest rate changes take three to six months to hit the retail sector. The impact of last year’s interest rate rises will still be flowing through to the retail sector until at least March, Zimmerman said.

Retail trade has been very patchy for the past 12 months and this trend will continue unless the RBA gives retailers a fair go at getting back onto their feet through solid, consistent growth, outside of the traditionally higher trading figures of the festive season.