Retail sales down slightly in April

Seasonally adjusted retail sales fell slightly (down 0.3 percent) in April 2010, Statistics New Zealand said today. This fall follows a similar sized rise in March 2010. Core retail sales, which exclude the four vehicle-related industries, were close to flat (down just 0.2 percent), following a 1.0 percent rise in March 2010. 

Decreases in sales were recorded for 15 of the 24 retail industries in April 2010. These decreases were led by department store sales, down 3.3 percent ($11 million). All other decreases were more modest, down $6 million or less.

The accommodation industry had the largest sales increase, up 7.0 percent ($15 million). This monthly increase is also the largest for accommodation since September 2003.

The total retail sales trend has been rising since February 2009, but has flattened in recent months. The core retail sales trend has been falling slowly since October 2009, down a total of 0.9 percent since then. This period of decline in the core trend is the first since 1995.

By region, seasonally adjusted sales fell 0.8 percent and 0.5 percent in Auckland and Wellington, respectively. All other regions recorded flat or increasing sales.

Cathryn Ashley-Jones 14 June 2010

Acting Government Statistician