After adjusting for price and seasonal affects, the total retail sales volume rose 3.3 percent in the June 2021 quarter, following a 2.8 percent rise in the March 2021 quarter, Stats NZ said today.
"Most retail industries saw increases in spending, with rises across all regions. Spending on big ticket items such as electrical goods, housewares, and vehicles was a priority for many consumers during this June quarter," retail trade manager Sue Chapman said.
Electrical and electronic goods had the largest increase in sales volumes, up 6.9 percent, followed by rises in food and beverage, up 5.6 percent, and motor vehicle and parts retailing, up 3.1 percent.
| Quarter | Actual | Seasonally adjusted |
| Jun-17 | 21856747162 | 22542139980 |
| Sep-17 | 21634738866 | 22687186460 |
| Dec-17 | 24984612693 | 22984727760 |
| Mar-17 | 22552229274 | 22990258270 |
| Jun-18 | 22534191715 | 23196287430 |
| Sep-18 | 22219691690 | 23244958950 |
| Dec-18 | 25855442600 | 23693969480 |
| Mar-19 | 23307558860 | 23890964910 |
| Jun-19 | 23185488660 | 23822327390 |
| Sep-19 | 23220654140 | 24229887930 |
| Dec-19 | 26709077700 | 24446528330 |
| Mar-20 | 23845114490 | 24206563690 |
| Jun-20 | 19893891590 | 20459542540 |
| Sep-20 | 25096068220 | 26147152150 |
| Dec-20 | 27977684080 | 25573357200 |
| Mar-21 | 25426653990 | 26283438790 |
| Jun-21 | 26511665000 | 27140900210 |
"Many retailers saw higher sales this quarter, following the uncertainty of this time last year when the country was emerging from the first major COVID-19 lockdown period," Ms Chapman said.
Eating out and vehicle sales boost sales values
When the effects of price changes are included, the seasonally adjusted value of total retail trade sales rose $1.1 billion (4.0 percent) in the June 2021 quarter.
Food and beverage services had the largest dollar value increase, up $222 million (7.0 percent) this June quarter, following a modest rise of $43 million (1.4 percent) in the March 2021 quarter.
Sales values for motor vehicle and parts retailing reached over $4 billion, for the first time in this series.
This industry had a strong increase of $179 million (4.6 percent) in this June quarter following the $117 million (3.1 percent) rise for the March 2021 quarter.
"We received comments from some vehicle respondents, stating a surge in sales of higher priced vehicles, and that they saw more interest in electric vehicle purchases during this quarter," Ms Chapman said.
| Industry (ANZSIC06) | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
| Electrical and electronic goods retailing | 932832591 | 984144845 | 1309488380 |
| Motor vehicle and parts retailing | 3284793364 | 2554656881 | 4081118773 |
| Supermarket and grocery stores | 5199166090 | 5840107258 | 5642917216 |
| Food and beverage services | 2987635422 | 1771244738 | 3381890731 |
| Accommodation | 1047064171 | 573602754 | 1116256588 |
In actual terms, the total values of retail sales were $27.5 billion in the June 2021 quarter, up 37 percent ($7.4 billion) from the COVID-19 affected June 2020 quarter.
Retail trade dashboard
Stats NZ's retail trade dashboard has further details on retail industries over time - view, compare, and download data for specific retail industries, or data by geographic regions.
