Retail activity flat
Total retail sales fell by $138 million, or 0.5 per cent in the June 2026 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ.
This movement – after adjusting for price inflation and seasonal effects – from the March 2026 quarter came as eight of the 15 retail industries reported lower retail sales volumes over that timeframe.
Among the largest decliners were fuel retailing, down 13 per cent, and motor vehicle and parts, which fell by 2.3 per cent. Accommodation also had an eight per cent drop quarter-on-quarter.
Michelle Feyen, economic indicators spokesperson, says: “Higher fuel prices drove a sharp increase in fuel retailing sales values in the June 2026 quarter.
“However, once the effect of price changes is removed, fuel retailing recorded the largest fall in sales volumes of the industries measured.”
Stats NZ’s latest figures also show nine of the 16 regions had higher retail sales values in the June 2026 quarter compared with the March 2026 quarter, after adjusting for seasonal effects.
Sales values in the South Island increased by $120m, or 1.5 per cent, to $8.3 billion, while the North Island’s figure went up by $196m, or 0.8 per cent, to $24b.
