A quarterly snapshot that explores emerging economic and business trends and their long-term impact on the city.
These reports show how people use, visit and spend in the City of Sydney local area.
City economic monitor – April 2026PDF · 1.81 MB · Last modified
At a glance
- Weekly average consumer spend was $294.3 million in March 2026, up 6.9% from March 2025.
- Shoes and clothing spend showed the greatest year-on-year growth in Q1 2026, up 14.4%. Dining spend was up by 7.9%, while bar and club spend increased by 7.0%.
- Weekly average visitation by public transport to the city centre was 3.48 million in March 2026, up 6.1% from March 2025. Thursday was the busiest day in the period.
- Short-term overseas visitor arrivals to Sydney were 3.41 million in the year to February 2026, up 9.6% from the previous year. Growth is largely driven by arrivals from China, up 73% year-on-year making it the top country visitors.
- Consumer spend across high streets and neighbourhoods showed mixed results. Spend increased year-on-year in King Street, Haymarket and Redfern, while Glebe Point Road, Harris Street and Stanley Street recorded decreases.
Crown Street, Surry Hills. — Image: Abril Felman/City of Sydney
Insights archive
City of Sydney economic and business trend data was previously shared under our regular city economic insights reports.
