No change in retail sales

In July 2007, seasonally adjusted total retail sales remained at the same level as in June 2007, Statistics New Zealand said today.

Sales movements were relatively modest across all of the 24 retail industries, with none rising or fallingmore than $8 million in July compared with June.

Excluding vehicle-related industries, core retail sales fell slightly for the second consecutive month, down0.2 percent in July, following a 0.5 percent decrease in June 2007.

Just over half of the 20 core retailingindustries had decreased sales in July compared with June 2007.The total retail sales trend continues to increase, but has eased since March 2007.

Excluding vehicle-related industries, the core retail sales trend has flattened over the past four months.

Regionally, sales trends for Auckland and Waikato have been declining since March 2007.

Trends forWellington, the Remainder of the North Island, Canterbury and the Remainder of the South Islandcontinued to increase, but have eased since March 2007