August Retail Sales Increase 0.6 Percent

August Retail Sales Increase 0.6 Percent

Seasonally adjusted total retail sales increased 0.6 percent in August 2003 compared with July 2003, according to Statistics New Zealand. This follows increases of 1.0 percent in July 2003 and 0.7 percent in June 2003. Seasonally adjusted sales for the core retailing group (which excludes the motor vehicle retailing and motor vehicle services storetypes) increased 1.0 percent in August 2003, compared with July 2003.

Ten of the 15 storetypes recorded increases in seasonally adjusted sales in August 2003, compared with July 2003. The largest dollar value increases occurred in the motor vehicle services, and the cafes, restaurants and takeaways storetypes, up $16 million and $14 million respectively. Of the five storetypes that recorded lower sales, the largest decrease occurred in the motor vehicle retailing storetype (down $20 million).

Four of the six regions recorded higher seasonally adjusted sales in August 2003, compared with July 2003. The Remainder of the North Island and the Canterbury regions recorded the largest dollar value increases (both up $7 million), whereas the Remainder of the South Island region recorded a decrease of $6 million. Seasonally adjusted sales for the Total North Island increased $16 million, while the Total South Island recorded an increase of $1 million from July to August 2003.

Total actual retail sales for August 2003 were $4,264 million – 4.1 percent higher than in August 2002.

Brian Pink

Government Statistician

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