Another strong quarter for retail sales

Seasonally adjusted total retail sales values rose 1.7 percent in the June 2011 quarter, Statistics New Zealand said today.

Sales values rose in all regions, and most industries. This increase was the result of a 0.9 percent increase in total sales volumes, combined with price rises across a number of industries.

"The information we have suggests that actual sales in Christchurch have strengthened following the quake-affected March quarter," industry and labour statistics manager Kathy Connolly said. "The Retail Trade Survey is not designed to give a definite picture of sales movements below national level. However, the data that we do have makes it clear that the 'hardware, building, and garden supplies' and 'fuel' industries had significantly larger increases in Christchurch than in the rest of New Zealand." Compared with the rest of the country, department store sales were weaker in Christchurch, where approximately one-third of all department stores remain closed.

Nationally, 12 of the 15 industries recorded increased sales values in the June 2011 quarter. Motor vehicle and parts retailing, up 4.9 percent, contributed the most to the quarter’s increase, followed by supermarket and grocery stores, up 1.6 percent.

The motor vehicle and parts industry was also the largest contributor to the increase in sales volumes, with a rise of 4.2 percent. This was followed by a 10 percent increase in the volume of electrical and electronic goods.

The seasonally adjusted value of core retail sales (which excludes the two vehicle-related industries) rose 1.4 percent. Seasonally adjusted core sales volumes rose 1.0 percent.

The trend for total sales values has been rising since March 2009, and has strengthened slightly in recent quarters. The trend for total sales volumes has picked up since the December 2010 quarter, following a period of little growth.