Retail Trade Survey: September 2005 quarter

Retail Trade Survey: September 2005 quarter

15 November 2005

Price Increases Fuel Retail Sales

Seasonally adjusted total retail sales increased 2.4 percent in the September 2005 quarter, Statistics New Zealand said today. With price effects removed, retail sales increased 1.3 percent.

There was a larger difference between the sales and volume increases this quarter, boosted by automotive fuel retailing prices. Seasonally adjusted automotive fuel retailing had a record sales increase in the September 2005 quarter, but in volume terms sales decreased slightly. Prices at fuel retailing outlets increased for the seventh consecutive quarter; 11 percent higher than in the June 2005 quarter, and almost one and a half times higher than in early 2002.

Sales for supermarket and grocery stores also rose over the quarter, but by a lesser amount in volume terms. The largest price increases came from beef and veal, and fresh vegetables.

In the September 2005 quarter, the largest volume increase came from the motor vehicle retailing industry. Prices at motor vehicle stores fell 0.9 percent over the quarter. The underlying sales trend shows that with price effects removed, sales were 2.8 percent higher in the September 2005 quarter than in the September 2004 quarter.

The underlying quarterly sales trend for the retail sector continues to increase. On a regional basis, the Remainder of the North Island and Canterbury regions showed strongest growth in the September 2005 quarter, compared with the same quarter a year ago.

Brian Pink

Government Statistician

ENDS

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