Retail sales up 2.6 percent in April

By NZPA

Friday 7th June 2002

New Zealanders continued to spend freely in April, with seasonally adjusted retail figures showing a 2.6 percent increase in sales compared with March.

Figures released today show $4.049 billion was spent in retail sales during the month, with increases in almost every segment of the retail sector.

The core retailing group, which excludes motor vehicle and services sales, rose by 1.7 percent.

Statistics New Zealand said April confirmed a retail pattern which had been positive for about four years. The trend for total retail sales increased by 28.7 percent since May 1998, growing at an average rate of 0.6 percent a month.

The widespread growth seen in April could have been because of the timing of Easter, the department suggested.

"This year both Good Friday and Easter Sunday fell in March rather than in April. This meant that April 2002 had more trading days than previous April months."

April's figures showed decreases only in accommodation and personal/household services.

Motor vehicle sales grew by a seasonally adjusted 7.2 percent compared with the previous month, and the trend is up 25.4 percent since September 2000.

Department store sales increased 8.3 percent, the largest monthly increase since April 1993.

Appliance stores also did a roaring trade in April, with sales up by 10.2 percent. This followed a fall of 11.9 percent in March.

North Island retail sales were up 3 percent and the biggest spending region was Waikato (up 4.8 percent).

Retail sales in the South Island increased by 2 percent in April.

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