November retail sales flat

In November 2008 seasonally adjusted total retail sales were flat, increasing by less than 0.1 percent from
October 2008, Statistics New Zealand said today. Continued volatility in motor vehicle retailing saw a rise of
6.9 percent ($37 million) in November, but this was more than offset by a fall in automotive fuel retailing of
7.3 percent ($44 million).

Core retailing, which excludes the four vehicle-related industries, increased by 0.3 percent ($11 million),
dominated by supermarket and grocery stores, which rose 2.6 percent ($32 million). The biggest decrease
was in accommodation, down 6.6 percent ($15 million).

Three-quarters of the 24 industries surveyed had sales movements, up or down, of less than $5 million.
The trend in total retail sales was flat. However, the cumulative effect of very small monthly movements has
resulted in a decline of 1.0 percent since January 2008. Before this decline the total retail sales trend had
been rising since May 1998.

Among the regions, increased sales were recorded in Auckland, Waikato and Canterbury. Sales decreased
in Wellington, the remainder of the North Island, and the remainder of the South Island.

Geoff Bascand
21 January 2009
Government Statistician
END

See also the Hot Off The Press information release Retail Trade Survey: November 2008.