Wholesale Sales Trend Remains Positive

Wholesale Trade Survey: September 2001 quarter

Wholesale Sales Trend Remains Positive

Seasonally adjusted wholesale sales decreased by 0.6 per cent in the September 2001 quarter, according to latest figures from Statistics New Zealand. This decrease follows a strong increase in seasonally adjusted sales in the June 2001 quarter. However, the trend in wholesale sales remains positive and has been increasing since the June 1998 quarter.

A decrease of 9.8 per cent in seasonally adjusted sales for the miscellaneous trade storetype (includes toys, photographic equipment and wholesale trade not elsewhere classified) provided the largest contribution to the overall quarterly decrease in wholesale sales.

Seasonally adjusted sales of the machinery and equipment storetype also decreased, down 3.0 per cent in the September 2001 quarter.

An increase of 5.2 per cent in seasonally adjusted sales of the building materials and supplies storetype partially offset the overall fall in seasonally adjusted wholesale sales.

Seasonally adjusted stock values increased by 0.4 per cent in the September 2001 quarter compared with the previous quarter. The largest contribution to the increase came from the machinery and equipment storetype, which increased by $74 million. Seasonally adjusted petroleum stocks decreased by $52 million.

Brian Pink Government Statistician END

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