Two clear trends emerge in today's retail sales figures.One is that there was pre-GST surge – well, perhaps more of a spurt than a surge.Secondly, the economic “rebalancing” with the government keeps talking about is manifesting itself i
Two clear trends emerge in today’s retail sales figures.
One is that there was pre-GST surge – well, perhaps more of a spurt than a surge.
Secondly, the economic “rebalancing” with the government keeps talking about is manifesting itself in a drop in spending on grog.
Sales for bars and clubs fell 5.8%, or $17 million, in the quarter – the largest since the series began.
The trend has fallen 4.4% since December 2009.
Liquor retailing sales fell 4.7% or $14 million, and has fallen 7% since June 2009.
The overall retail sales, released this morning by Statistics New Zealand show sales rose 1.6%, or $86 million, over the month.
The main areas to increase in September were furniture and floor coverings, up 30.1% ($32 million); appliance retailing, up 14.4% ($29 million); and vehicle retailing, up 1.8% ($11 million).
These figures are well up on the overall quarter: total retail sales value rose 0.8% ($133 million).
In real terms sales have risen in value 2.6% over the past year for core retail, and 3.5% for total retail.
Sales in all regions rose except in Canterbury – the earthquake at the start of the month having an obvious impact there.
