Quarterly Retail Sales Growth Continues

7 August 2002

Quarterly Retail Sales Growth Continues

Seasonally adjusted total retail sales increased 2.3 percent in the June 2002 quarter compared with the March 2002 quarter, according to Statistics New Zealand. This was due to a monthly decrease of 1.5 percent in May 2002, and monthly increases of 2.8 percent in April 2002 and 0.5 percent in June 2002.

The growth this quarter was mixed, with 11 out of the 15 storetypes recording higher seasonally adjusted sales, compared with the March 2002 quarter. The largest contributors to the increase in sales were the motor vehicle retailing and motor vehicle services storetypes.

When adjusted for a 1.1 percent increase in prices, the volume of seasonally adjusted retail sales increased 1.2 percent in the June 2002 quarter, compared with the March 2002 quarter. This follows a 2.2 percent volume increase last quarter. The price increases were widespread with 13 out of 15 storetypes recording an increase in prices this quarter compared with March 2002. The only falls occurred in the food retailing and appliance retailing storetypes.

Regional growth remains strong this quarter, with all six major regions recording an increase in seasonally adjusted sales compared with the March 2002 quarter. The largest increase occurred in the Waikato region, which is up 4.2 percent.

The retail sales trend remains positive, continuing a pattern of growth evident since June 1998.

Brian Pink
Government Statistician
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