Motor-vehicle industry revs up retail sales

Motor-vehicle industry revs up retail sales

16 November 2015

Retail sales growth in the September 2015 quarter was led by large gains in the motor-vehicle industry, Statistics New Zealand said today.

The total sales value was $19.2 billion in the September 2015 quarter, 4.8 percent ($874 million) more than in the September 2014 quarter. The motor-vehicle industry contributed almost a quarter of the total increase with a $193 million rise on the same quarter last year.

After removing the effect of price changes, the total retail sales volume rose 5.7 percent in the September quarter, when compared with the same quarter last year.

“Several car dealers told us they experienced a very busy September quarter, and were on target to achieve record sales this year," business indicators senior manager Neil Kelly said.

When adjusting for seasonal effects, the volume of total retail sales rose 1.6 percent in the September 2015 quarter. This increase follows a modest rise of 0.1 percent in the June 2015 quarter.

Ten of the 15 retail industries had higher seasonally adjusted sales volumes. The largest industry movements were:

• motor-vehicle and parts retailing, up 5.0 percent

• electrical and electronic goods, up 6.6 percent

• food and beverage services, up 2.4 percent.

When the effect of price changes is included, the seasonally adjusted total value of retail sales rose 1.4 percent ($265 million). This follows a 0.3 percent ($59 million) increase in the June 2015 quarter.

ENDS

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