New Zealand retail sales rose in the June quarter, benefitting from increased consumer spending during the World Masters Games and the Lions rugby tour.
Sales volumes gained 2 percent in the three months ended June 30, 2017, following a 1.6 per cent rise in the March quarter, Statistics New Zealand figures show. The value of retail sales rose 1.6 per cent, compared to the record 2.5 per cent increase in the March quarter.
Twelve of the 15 industries surveyed posted higher sales volumes in the quarter, while eleven reported increased values. The food and beverage sector, which includes cafes, restaurants, bars, takeaways, and catering services, saw a record volume increase of 4.2 per cent in the quarter, with the value of sales rising 4.6 per cent, the strongest increase across all the industries surveyed.
"With more than 28,000 people attending the World Masters Games in late April, and the surge of 23,000 visitors from the UK and Ireland, many arriving for the Lions rugby series starting in June, there was an expected lift for food and drink providers," business indicators senior manager Daria Kwon said in a statement. "Accommodation sales also showed the strongest increase in three years, up 6.1 per cent, which was reflected by a 14 per cent rise in international guest nights in the June accommodation survey."
Consumer confidence has remained relatively upbeat as strong employment growth and the government's families package support household incomes. Economists will get another update on Thursday with the release of the ANZ Roy Morgan consumer confidence survey.
