Vehicle sales bump up retail spending

Retail spending rose slightly (up 0.4 per cent) in June, led by a 2.3 per cent increase in vehicle-related sales, Statistics New Zealand said.

Vehicle-related industries recorded both the largest increase and the largest decrease of the 24 retail industries last month, with motor vehicle retailing up 7.5 per cent ($43 million), offset by a 1.9 per cent($11 million) fall in automotive fuel retailing.

However when vehicle-related industries are taken out, sales decreased 0.2 per cent, led by a fall in accommodation, café and restaurant sales.

This was offset by a slight increase in spending in bars and clubs.

Actual sales for core retailing were 0.6 per cent lower in May, than they were at the same time last year.

It is only the fourth time, since the series began five years ago, that monthly sales have fallen from the year before, Statistics New Zealand said.

Sales trends for both total and core retail sales have remained flat since late 2009.

- NZ HERALD