Car sales drive retail spending - Retail Trade Survey

Retail Trade Survey: September 2016 quarter – Media Release

Car sales accelerated and pushed up the volume of total retail trade sales in the September 2016 quarter, Statistics NZ said today. Rising volumes for both motor vehicles and fuel accounted for almost three-quarters of the September quarter's total increase.

Total retail sales volumes rose 0.9 percent in the latest quarter and followed a strong 2.2 percent rise in the June 2016 quarter, after adjusting for seasonal effects

“Continuing strong new and used car sales, along with higher fuel sales volumes as prices fell, have put the vehicle-related sectors in pole position this quarter," business indicators senior manager Neil Kelly said

Ten of the 15 industries had higher sales volumes this quarter, with the largest increases in:
• motor-vehicle and parts retailing – up 3.4 percent
• fuel retailing – up 2.2 percent
• ccommodation – up 4.7 percent
• hardware, building, and garden supplies – up 1.9 percent.

Retail sales values up
When the effect of price changes is included, the seasonally adjusted value of total retail sales rose 0.9 percent ($192 million) for the September 2016 quarter. This follows the strong 2.2 percent rise ($452 million) in the June 2016 quarter.

Nine of the 15 retail industries had higher sales values in the latest quarter, with motor-vehicle and parts retailing having the largest rise, up 3.0 percent ($85 million).

In actual terms, the value of total retail sales was $20.1 billion in the September 2016 quarter, up 4.7 percent ($900 million) from the September 2015 quarter.

Ends

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