9 April 2002
Seasonally adjusted retail sales increased 1.8 percent in February 2002, compared with January 2002, according to
Statistics New Zealand. Seasonally adjusted sales for the core retailing group (which excludes the motor vehicle
retailing and services storetypes) increased by 1.2 percent.
The sales trend for total retail sales has been positive since May 1998, having increased 26.0 percent over this period.
The largest contributors to the overall increase in total sales were the motor vehicle storetypes.
Seasonally adjusted sales for motor vehicle retailing increased 4.4 percent, while motor vehicle services increased 2.3
percent in February 2002, compared with January 2002.
The largest contributors to the 1.2 percent increase in the core retailing group were the other stores, appliance
retailing and department stores storetypes. These contributions were offset by decreases in the recreational goods,
furniture and floorcoverings and footwear storetypes.
Brian Pink
Government Statistician
END