Retail volumes steady

The total volume of seasonally adjusted retail sales rose a modest 0.2 percent in the September 2007quarter, Statistics New Zealand said today.

However, the volume of sales per head of population remainedat the same level as in the June 2007 quarter.

Seasonally adjusted total retail sales increased 0.5 percent in the September 2007 quarter, boosted by increased sales in supermarket and grocery stores, accommodation, and cafes and restaurants.

The largest decreases were in recreational goods retailing and clothing and softgoods retailing.

The total retail sales trend has eased over the past two quarters, following a period of strong growth at theend of 2006 and the start of 2007.

The household equipment repair services industry recorded its largest ever sales increase in the September2007 quarter, up 10.2 percent.

This is one of the smaller retail industries, which consists of businessesmainly engaged in repairing or installing household electrical appliances and equipment.

Surveyrespondents in this industry commented that there had been heightened demand for heat pumps thiswinter, as well as for the installation of satellite-television-related equipment and appliances.

Regionally, sales fell for the second consecutive quarter in both Auckland and Waikato. Sales increased inall other regions in the September 2007 quarter.

In the September month, seasonally adjusted total retail sales increased 1.0 percent.

The largest increaseswere in automotive fuel retailing and motor vehicle retailing.

A third of industries had sales increases ordecreases of less than $1 million.

The core retailing group, which excludes the four vehicle-relatedindustries, increased 0.5 percent.