Retail Sales Increase Continues

Retail Trade Survey: July 2002
6 September 2002

Retail Sales Increase Continues

Seasonally adjusted total retail sales increased 0.5 percent in July 2002 compared with June 2002, according to Statistics New Zealand. This follows a 0.6 percent increase last month. The core retailing group (which excludes the motor vehicle retailing and motor vehicle services storetypes) also increased, up 0.9 percent in July 2002 compared with June 2002.

Ten out of the 15 storetypes recorded higher seasonally adjusted sales this month compared with June 2002. The largest of these increases occurred in the food retailing and other stores storetypes. The remaining five storetypes all recorded decreases in monthly seasonally adjusted sales; the largest of these occurred in the personal and household services storetype.

Regional growth was mixed this month. Seasonally adjusted sales for the total North Island decreased 0.5 percent in July 2002, compared with June 2002. This was due to decreases in 3 out of the 4 North Island regions. Waikato was the only region to record an increase, up 0.3 percent. In contrast, seasonally adjusted sales in the total South Island increased 2.4 percent.

Both South Island regions, Canterbury and the Remainder of South Island (which includes all areas outside Canterbury), recorded increases, up 2.9 percent and 1.8 percent respectively.

The sales trend remains positive, continuing a pattern of growth seen since the last turning point in May 1998.

Brian Pink Government Statistician END

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