The total volume of retail sales in New Zealand increased by 0.9 percent in the December 2024 quarter compared with the September 2024 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. Figures are adjusted for price inflation and seasonal effects.
"In the December quarter we saw a modest increase in retail activity, with growth across most industries," economic indicators spokesperson Michael Heslop said.
Ten of the 15 retail industries had higher retail sales volumes in the December 2024 quarter, compared with the September 2024 quarter, after adjusting for price and seasonal effects.
| Industry (ANZSIC06) | $ |
| Electrical and electronic goods retailing | 106272000 |
| Department stores | 78053000 |
| Accommodation | 58961000 |
| Food and beverage services | 58816000 |
| Recreational goods retailing | 40723000 |
| "Clothing | 26410000 |
| footwear | 26048000 |
| and personal accessories" | 11453000 |
| "Furniture | 6182000 |
| floor coverings | 2683000 |
| houseware | -10288000 |
| and textile goods" | -26340000 |
| "Hardware | -46109000 |
| building | -54586000 |
| and garden supplies" | -57351000 |
| Fuel retailing | |
| Liquor retailing | |
| Specialised food retailing | |
| Non-store and commission-based retailing | |
| Supermarket and grocery stores | |
| Motor vehicle and parts retailing | |
| Pharmaceutical and other store-based retailing |
The biggest contributors to the rise in retail activity in the December 2024 quarter were:
- electrical and electronic goods retailing - up 5.1 percent
- department stores - up 4.2 percent
- accommodation - up 7.6 percent
- food and beverage services - up 2.3 percent.
Retail sales up in all regions across the country
All 16 regions had higher retail sales values in the December 2024 quarter, compared with the September 2024 quarter, after adjusting for seasonal effects.
Sales in the South Island increased by 3.5 percent ($251 million) to $7.4 billion, while sales in the North Island increased by 1.3 percent ($292 million) to $22.4 billion. Regional data are not adjusted for price effects.
"Otago and the West Coast regions had the highest percentage increase in retail sales this quarter, relative to the previous quarter," Heslop said.
| Region | Percent |
| Manawatū-Whanganui | 0.2 |
| Wellington | 0.3 |
| Taranaki | 0.4 |
| Gisborne | 0.9 |
| Hawke's Bay | 1 |
| Auckland | 1.3 |
| Bay of Plenty | 1.3 |
| Canterbury | 1.8 |
| Marlborough | 2.1 |
| Waikato | 2.5 |
| Southland | 2.6 |
| Northland | 2.9 |
| Nelson | 3.5 |
| Tasman | 4.4 |
| West Coast | 5.5 |
| Otago | 7.8 |
