Strong rise in Christchurch retail activity

Christchurch retail activity rose strongly in the June 2012 quarter, Statistics New Zealand said today.

For Christchurch city, after seasonal fluctuations are removed, total retail trade activity increased 2.1 percent in the June 2012 quarter. This compares with a rise of 1.1 percent at the national level (see: Retail Trade Survey: June 2012 quarter).

The Christchurch increase was the result of strong rises in both retail trade, and accommodation and food services, up 1.9 percent and 2.9 percent, respectively.

“Since the earthquake sequence began in September 2010, growth in Christchurch retailing has been slower than at the national level,” acting industry and labour statistics manager Tehseen Islam said. “But this quarter’s strong rise has helped to reduce this gap.”

Since the June 2010 quarter, before the earthquakes began, Christchurch’s total retail trade activity has risen 4.5 percent, compared with the national increase of 8.9 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 on a provisional basis.

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