12 November 2004
Retail Trade Survey: September 2004 quarter — 12 November 2004 Broad-Based Increase in Retail Sales
Seasonally adjusted total retail sales increased 2.3 percent in the September 2004 quarter, compared with the June 2004
quarter, according to Statistics New Zealand. Nineteen of the 24 retail industries recorded higher sales this quarter,
with automotive fuel retailing recording the largest dollar value increase of $47 million (15 percent of the total
quarterly increase).
Close behind, with increases of $40 million each (13 percent of the total increase), were recreational goods (which
includes marine equipment; sports and camping equipment; and newspapers, books and stationery) and other retailing
(which includes watches and jewellery, antiques, garden supplies, art galleries and souvenirs).
Excluding the motor vehicle-related industries, seasonally adjusted retail sales increased 2.4 percent in the September
2004 quarter, compared with the June 2004 quarter.
With the effects of price changes removed, seasonally adjusted total retail sales rose 2.6 percent in the September
2004 quarter, compared with the June 2004 quarter. This follows rises of 0.9 percent in the June 2004 quarter and 2.3
percent in the March 2004 quarter. The retail trade deflators showed that prices increased in 13 of the 24 retail
industries in the latest quarter.
Continuing the steady increase since the June 1998 quarter, the retail sales trend increased by 1.8 percent in the
September 2004 quarter, compared with the June 2004 quarter. On a regional basis, the retail sales trend for the total
North Island increased 2.3 percent and the retail sales trend for the total South Island increased 1.7 percent, over the
same period.
Total actual sales for the September 2004 quarter were $13,509 million, 8.1 percent higher than for the September 2003
quarter. Brian Pink Government Statistician
ENDS