Core Retail Sales Up, Vehicles Down

Retail Trade Survey: October 2005

Core Retail Sales Up, Vehicles Down

Seasonally adjusted total retail sales decreased 0.2 percent in October 2005, Statistics New Zealand said today. However, sales for the core retailing group (which excludes vehicle-related industries) remained steady, increasing 1.1 percent.

The majority of the 24 retail industries recorded relatively small dollar value movements or remained unchanged, with only cafes and restaurants (up 3.9 percent), and supermarket and grocery stores (up 1.0 percent), recording increases greater than $10 million.

Motor vehicle retailing recorded the largest decrease in sales, falling 7.0 percent in October 2005 compared to September 2005. This was the second consecutive monthly decrease in the motor vehicle retailing industry, with a 10.9 percent decrease recorded in September 2005, following a strong increase of 7.7 percent in August 2005.

The sales trend for total retail sales has been increasing since May 1998, with sales 6.7 percent higher in October 2005 compared to October 2004. On a regional basis, the trend has generally been increasing for all regions, with the Remainder of the North Island and Canterbury regions recording the strongest growth in October 2005 compared to October 2004.

ENDS

There is a companion Hot Off The Press information release published – Retail Trade Survey: October 2005.

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