Wholesale Activity Increases in March Quarter

Wholesale Activity Increases in March Quarter

Seasonally adjusted wholesale sales increased 1.5 percent in the March 2004 quarter, compared with the December 2003 quarter, according to Statistics New Zealand. This follows rises of 3.7 percent and 0.5 percent in the December 2003 and September 2003 quarters, respectively.

Among the largest increases in seasonally adjusted sales this quarter were machinery and equipment not elsewhere classified wholesaling (up $91 million) and builders' supplies wholesaling (up $80 million).

These increases were partly offset by decreases in seasonally adjusted sales in unprocessed primary product wholesaling (down $41 million) and petroleum product wholesaling (down $31 million).

The trend in wholesale sales rose 2.5 percent in the March 2004 quarter, compared with the previous quarter. This follows a similar increase of 2.6 percent in the December 2003 quarter and an increase of 0.7 percent in the September 2003 quarter.

Total seasonally adjusted wholesale stocks fell 0.4 percent to $7,991 million as at 31 March 2004, following an increase of 1.6 percent as at 31 December 2003, and a decrease of 0.6 percent as at 30 September 2003.

Brian Pink

Government Statistician

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