NZ Online Retail Sales - Monthly update for October 2015
HIGHLIGHTS
· Total online retail spending in October was up 9% compared to October last year. This is a slower growth rate than we
had observed in preceding months. However, it seems likely that the softening in growth is at least partly due to the
timing of purchases, as opposed to a slowdown in trend.
· Some of categories showing very strong growth in online spending in October (versus October last year) were: Clothing
(up 17%); Newspapers and Books (up 21%); Entertainment Media (up 26%); and Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic goods (up 35%).
Growth in online spending on Groceries and at Department Stores was also strong.
· Growth in purchases from overseas slowed down in October, and domestic merchants gained market share. However, it’s
too early to say whether this is a “blip”, or if factors such as the lower NZD are starting to affect purchase volumes.
ends