Market Trends and What Businesses Need to Know Right Now

Retail turnover across the Sunshine Coast climbed 2.8 percent in the three months to June 2026, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures released this week, driven by stronger spending on dining and services in coastal precincts.

The rise arrives as national home prices slipped for the second straight quarter, trimming household wealth and prompting tighter budgets among residents who anchor much of the region's daily trade.

Operators in Maroochydore's Aerodrome Road strip and the Mooloolaba waterfront boardwalk report steadier foot traffic than in the same period last year, with the Sunshine Coast Council tourism recovery program directing extra marketing spend toward day-trippers from Brisbane.

Median dwelling prices in the region fell to $785,000 in May, down from $812,000 twelve months earlier, while average weekly rents for shopfronts on First Avenue in Mooloolaba now sit at $1,450, a 4 percent increase that squeezes margins for smaller tenants.

Housing slowdown and consumer shifts

Lower property values have reduced equity release for renovations and big-ticket purchases, pushing more households toward value dining and repair services rather than new builds. Local accountants note a 15 percent jump in enquiries about cash-flow planning since April.

Connectivity risks and next steps

The recent Telstra outage that hit parts of the coast on 10 July exposed reliance on single providers for point-of-sale systems. Businesses should audit backup internet options before the September school holidays and review contracts with at least two carriers. Council economic development staff will host a free briefing at the Maroochydore administration centre on 22 July to outline grant support for digital resilience upgrades.