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.