Little Change for Most Retail Industries

Retail Trade Survey: November 2005

Little Change for Most Retail Industries

Seasonally adjusted retail sales increased 0.9 percent in November 2005, Statistics New Zealand said today. For the second consecutive month, the majority of the retail industries recorded relatively small dollar movements. Total sales for the core retailing group (which excludes vehicle-related industries) were relatively unchanged in November 2005 compared with October 2005.

The trend for retail sales continues to increase steadily.

Excluding motor vehicle retailing, no industries recorded seasonally adjusted movements exceeding $10 million in November 2005, and the only industries to record movements exceeding $5 million were department stores, other retailing, automotive fuel retailing, and chemist retailing.

The monthly seasonally adjusted sales series for motor vehicle retailing has shown increased volatility recently, with relatively large decreases in September 2005 and October 2005, and increases in August 2005 and November 2005 (up $53 million). The underlying sales trend for motor vehicle retailing has been declining for eight months, following a peak in March 2005.

On a regional basis, retail spending was mixed in November 2005. In the North Island, Wellington was the only region to recorded a seasonally adjusted increase, while both South Island regions recorded increases.

Brian Pink
Government Statistician

ENDS

There is a companion Hot Off The Press information release published – Retail Trade Survey: November 2005.

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