The nation's shoppers stayed at home in October despite the Morrison government's income tax cuts and falling interest rates with retail sales flatlining in the month.

Just a day after the national accounts showed household consumption at its weakest since the global financial crisis, the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday reported there was no increase in retail spending through October.

October retail sales were flat through the month despite falls in interest rates and the Morrison government's tax cuts. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

Sales fell by 0.8 per cent in clothing and footwear, household good sales dropped by 0.2 per cent and department stores reported a 0.8 per cent drop.

There was a 0.4 per cent lift in cafes and restaurants while the biggest sector, food retailing, lifted by 0.1 per cent.