12 September 2008
Motor vehicles and supermarkets curb retail sales
Seasonally adjusted total retail sales fell 0.8 percent ($44 million) in July 2008 following a rise of 1.0 percent in
June 2008, Statistics New Zealand said today. Core retailing (which excludes the four vehicle-related industries) fell
0.2 percent ($8 million).
Leading the decrease in July's sales were motor vehicle retailing, down 5.3 percent ($32 million) and supermarket and
grocery stores, down 2.0 percent ($24 million). Industries that had the largest sales increases were clothing and
softgoods retailing, up 9.0 percent ($18 million), and department stores, up 5.9 percent ($18 million). Half of the 24
retail industries had modest sales movements, increasing or decreasing by no more than $4 million.
The total retail sales trend has been flat since December 2007. Among the regions, decreases were recorded in Auckland,
Waikato, Wellington, and the remainder of the
North Island. Canterbury and the remainder of the South Island had increased sales.
Geoff Bascand
Government Statistician
12 September 2008
ENDS