The seasonally adjusted Retail Sales Indicator for May is $3,584 million according to Statistics New Zealand. This early
estimate of retail sales suggests growth of 0.7 per cent on the April result. May sales, excluding the motor vehicle
sales and servicing storetypes, were $2,532 million, a seasonally adjusted decrease of 0.4 per cent on the corresponding
April total.
The Retail Sales Indicator is derived from early responses to Statistics New Zealand's monthly Retail Trade Survey. For
May, these responses contributed 74 per cent of the published value of the indicator. The other 26 per cent is comprised
of sales estimates for those retailers that had not responded by 20 June. These estimates are based on the sales of
other similar sized retailers, in a similar activity and location.
Final retail sales statistics for May, including the usual detailed storetype analysis, will be released on 6 July.
Releases of the Retail Sales Indicator will generally be at 3pm on the 21st day of the month following the reference
period or on the next business day should the date fall on a weekend or public holiday.
Ian Ewing
DEPUTY GOVERNMENT STATISTICIAN
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