Real retail sales in New Zealand, which strip out the value of inflation, gained 0.5 percent in the first quarter compared to the previous three months, Statistics New Zealand said on Tuesday, with sales volumes rising in 10 of the 15 retail industries.
The headline figure was shy of forecasts for a gain of 0.8 percent following the 2.1 percent increase in the fourth quarter of 2012.
When seasonal effects are removed, shoppers spent 2.4 percent (NZ$21 million) less at clothing, footwear, and accessories retailers in Q1. "Respondents to the Retail Trade Survey told us that the warm, dry start to autumn meant that shoppers held off buying cooler-season clothing and footwear," industry and labor statistics manager Blair Cardno said in a release accompanying the data.
Despite the drop in clothing and footwear sales, the value of total retail sales rose 0.9 percent to NZ$17.9 billion. Shoppers spent more in nine of the 15 retail industries, with the largest rises in: motor vehicle and parts, up 1.9 percent (NZ$44 million); and supermarket and grocery stores, up 1.0 percent (NZ$42 million).
Looking at the longer-term picture, the trends for both total retail sales values and volumes have been generally rising since mid-2009, the bureau noted, after a period of sharp decline.
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