14 September 2005
Hospitality Industries Boost Retail Sales
Seasonally adjusted total retail sales increased 1.8 percent in July 2005, Statistics New Zealand said today. This
follows an increase of 1.1 percent in June 2005 and a decrease of 0.3 percent in May 2005. Increased monthly sales were
boosted by the hospitality industries, with cafes and restaurants up 5.6 percent and accommodation up 5.7 percent.
Bars and clubs were also up, increasing 0.5 percent in July, following a 3.6 percent increase in June. Increases in the
hospitality industries for July 2005 coincided with the British and Irish Lions rugby tour to New Zealand.
The seasonally adjusted increase in total sales for July 2005 is the largest recorded since March 2004, with 20 of the
24 retail industries recording increased sales.
Other industries to record significant seasonally adjusted increases were automotive fuel retailing, motor vehicle
retailing, and supermarket and grocery stores, with appliance retailing recording the largest decrease.
The retail sales trend has been increasing steadily since May 1998. The most significant growth in the year to July
2005 was in the automotive fuel, hardware, and other food retailing industries.
Brian Pink
Government Statistician
ENDS