Wholesale Activity Increases in March Quarter

Wholesale Activity Increases in March Quarter

Seasonally adjusted sales increased 1.2 percent in the March 2003 quarter compared with the December 2002 quarter, according to Statistics New Zealand. This follows an increase of 0.8 percent in the December 2002 quarter, and no change in the September 2002 quarter.

Motor vehicle wholesaling (up $147 million) and petroleum product wholesaling (up $130 million) were included among the largest increases in seasonally adjusted sales this quarter, compared with the December 2002 quarter. These increases were partly offset by the decreases in seasonally adjusted sales in farm and construction machinery, professional and business equipment (down $122 million), and unprocessed primary product (down $95 million).

The trend in sales increased 1.1 percent in the March 2003 quarter, compared with the December 2002 quarter. This follows increases of 0.5 percent in the December 2002 quarter and 0.5 percent
in the September 2002 quarter.

Seasonally adjusted finished goods stocks increased 1.8 percent to $7,578 million as at 31 March 2003. This follows a decrease of 1.1 percent as at 31 December 2002, and an increase of 4.5 percent as at 30 September 2002.

Brian Pink

Government Statistician

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