Retail sales volumes boosted by record motor-vehicle sales

The volume of retail sales rose a seasonally adjusted 1.3 percent in the June 2012 quarter, Statistics New Zealand said today.

“Although most industries had higher sales volumes this quarter, the increase was dominated by a record increase in motor-vehicle and parts retailing,” industry and labour statistics manager Blair Cardno said. “The only significant decrease was a drop in fuel volumes.”

With the two vehicle-related industries excluded, the volume of core retail sales rose 0.9 percent. Increases in pharmaceutical and other store-based retailing, and food and beverage services, led this rise.

With price effects included, the value of seasonally adjusted total retail sales rose 1.1 percent, and core retail sales rose 0.7 percent.

When we look at the longer-term picture, the trend for the total sales volume has risen consistently since a flat period in the second half of 2010, but has eased in the latest two quarters. The trend for the total sales value recorded strong growth in 2011, but has now eased back.

See also:  Retail Trade Survey: June 2012 quarter  –  Information release