Wholesale Trade Survey: September 2001 quarter
Wholesale Sales Trend Remains Positive
Seasonally adjusted wholesale sales decreased by 0.6 per cent in the September 2001 quarter, according to latest
figures from Statistics New Zealand. This decrease follows a strong increase in seasonally adjusted sales in the June
2001 quarter. However, the trend in wholesale sales remains positive and has been increasing since the June 1998
quarter.
A decrease of 9.8 per cent in seasonally adjusted sales for the miscellaneous trade storetype (includes toys,
photographic equipment and wholesale trade not elsewhere classified) provided the largest contribution to the overall
quarterly decrease in wholesale sales.
Seasonally adjusted sales of the machinery and equipment storetype also decreased, down 3.0 per cent in the September
2001 quarter.
An increase of 5.2 per cent in seasonally adjusted sales of the building materials and supplies storetype partially
offset the overall fall in seasonally adjusted wholesale sales.
Seasonally adjusted stock values increased by 0.4 per cent in the September 2001 quarter compared with the previous
quarter. The largest contribution to the increase came from the machinery and equipment storetype, which increased by
$74 million. Seasonally adjusted petroleum stocks decreased by $52 million.
Brian Pink Government Statistician END