Retail Trade Sales Increase Continues

Retail Trade Sales Increase Continues

Seasonally adjusted total retail sales increased 1.1 percent in January 2003 compared with December 2002, according to Statistics New Zealand. This follows a 0.5 percent increase in December 2002. Seasonally adjusted sales for the core retailing group (which excludes the motor vehicle retailing and motor vehicle service storetypes) increased by 0.2 percent in January 2003, compared with December 2002.

Eight out of the 15 storetypes recorded higher seasonally adjusted sales in January 2003, compared with December 2002. The largest increases occurred in the motor vehicle retailing (up $29 million) and department stores (up $24 million) storetypes. The largest decrease occurred in the other stores storetype (down $11 million).

Regional growth remains strong, with all regions (other than the Waikato region) recording higher seasonally adjusted sales, compared with December 2002. The largest increase occurred in the Auckland region (up 0.9 percent).

Total actual retail sales for January 2003 were $4,255 million – 7.9 percent higher than in January 2002.

Brian Pink

Government Statistician

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