Retail Sales Increase 0.5 Percent
Seasonally adjusted total retail sales increased 0.5 percent in November 2002 compared with October 2002, according to
Statistics New Zealand. Seasonally adjusted sales for the core retailing group (which excludes the motor vehicle
services and motor vehicle retailing storetypes) also increased by 0.5 percent.
Nine out of the 15 storetypes recorded increases in seasonally adjusted sales in November 2002, compared with October
2002. The largest increases occurred in the motor vehicle retailing and department stores storetypes. Of the five
storetypes that decreased in sales, the largest decreases were recorded for the other stores and motor vehicle services
storetypes. Sales in the food retailing storetype remained unchanged from last month.
Four out of the six major regions recorded an increase in seasonally adjusted sales this month, compared with October
2002. The largest increases occurred in the remainder of the South Island (which excludes all areas outside the
Canterbury region) and the remainder of the North Island (which excludes all areas outside the Auckland, Waikato and
Wellington regions).
The trend for total retail sales remains positive, which continues a pattern of growth seen since the last turning point
in May 1998.
Brian Pink
Government Statistician