Christchurch retailing has subdued growth

Christchurch retail activity shows growth following the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes, Statistics New Zealand said today. However, the city has lost ground compared with the rest of New Zealand.

"There has been overall growth in the Christchurch retail trade indicator for several quarters since the 22 February earthquake," industry and labour statistics manager Blair Cardno said. "However, despite these increases, growth is slower in Christchurch than at the national level."

For Christchurch city, after seasonal fluctuations are removed:

• Total retail trade activity increased 0.3 percent in the March 2012 quarter.

• Since the June 2010 quarter, before the earthquake sequence began, Christchurch's total retail trade activity has risen 1.3 percent, compared with the national increase of 7.7 percent (see retail trade survey information releases).

Accommodation and food services activity in Christchurch has fallen 11.3 percent since the June 2010 quarter, while activity in other retail trade industries has risen 3.5 percent.

The Christchurch retail trade indicator is an experimental series. It is released by Statistics NZ to provide information on the state of the Christchurch retail trade industry after the Canterbury earthquakes that began in September 2010. Because the statistics reflect new methods that may be modified, they are released in a provisional basis.

See also:
Christchurch Retail Trade Indicator: March 2012 quarter  –  Information release