Retail Trade Survey: October 2004

14 December 2004

Retail Trade Survey: October 2004 -

Retail Trade Has Slow Month

Seasonally adjusted total retail sales increased 0.4 percent in October 2004, compared with September 2004, according to Statistics New Zealand. Twenty-two of the 24 retail storetypes recorded small dollar value movements. Only supermarket and grocery stores, and motor vehicle retailing recorded increases greater than $5 million.

Eleven of the 24 retail storetypes recorded higher seasonally adjusted sales this month. Recreational goods, and other retailing (which includes watches and jewellery, antiques and used goods, flowers, garden supplies, art galleries and souvenirs) recorded the largest decreases (both down $4 million). Other food retailing, footwear, household equipment repair services, and personal and household goods hiring were all relatively unchanged. Excluding the motor vehicle-related industries, seasonally adjusted retail sales increased 0.3 percent in October 2004, compared with September 2004.

On a regional basis, the retail sales trends for both the total North Island and the total South Island increased 0.4 percent in October 2004, compared with September 2004. The trends for all six regions recorded increases this month. Total actual retail sales for October 2004 were $4,600 million, 4.3 percent higher than in October 2003.

Brian Pink

Government Statistician

ENDS

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