Hospitality spending up; fuel down – Media release

9 August 2016

Total retail spending using electronic cards was $4.8 billion in July 2016, up $267 million (5.8 percent) from July 2015, Statistics New Zealand said today. The largest increase was in the hospitality industry, up $139 million (18 percent), while the only decrease was in the fuel industry, down $54 million (8.6 percent).

"People spent more on accommodation and on food and drinks in restaurants and takeaway shops," business indicators senior manager Neil Kelly said. "In contrast, they spent less on fuel, with petrol prices falling about 10 cents a litre in July."

When adjusted for seasonal effects, retail spending rose 0.3 percent in July 2016 from June 2016. This follows a 1.2 percent rise in June.

The largest movements of the six retail industries in July 2016 (compared with June) were:
• hospitality, up $26 million (2.9 percent)
• fuel, down $21 million (3.6 percent)

Core retail spending (which excludes the vehicle-related industries) rose 0.7 percent in July 2016, after a 1.1 percent increase in June.

The total value of electronic card spending, including the two non-retail industries (services, and other non-retail), was up 0.4 percent in July. This follows a 1.0 percent increase in June 2016.

Trends for the total, retail, and core retail series have generally been rising since these series began in October 2002.

Values are only available at the national level, and are not adjusted for price changes.

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