Retail sales in New Zealand unexpectedly dropped 0.5% quarter-on-quarter in Q2 2026, reversing an upwardly revised 1.0% growth in the previous quarter and defying market expectations of a 0.1% rise. It was the first quarterly decline in retail sales since Q3 2024, with the figures adjusted for inflation and seasonal effects. The decline was broad-based, with eight of the 15 retail industries recording lower sales volumes, with notable declines in fuel (-13%), motor vehicles and parts (-2.3%), accommodation (-8.0%), and food and beverage services (-2.8%). By contrast, electrical and electronic goods sales rose 9.2%. On an annual basis, retail turnover increased by 3.3%, easing from a 4.5% gain in Q1 and marking the weakest quarterly growth in a year. source: Statistics New Zealand

Retail Sales in New Zealand decreased 0.50 percent in the second quarter of 2026 over the previous quarter. Retail Sales MoM in New Zealand averaged 0.68 percent from 1995 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 27.50 percent in the third quarter of 2020 and a record low of -15.80 percent in the second quarter of 2020. This page provides - New Zealand Retail Sales MoM - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. New Zealand Retail Sales QoQ - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on October of 2026.

Retail Sales in New Zealand decreased 0.50 percent in the second quarter of 2026 over the previous quarter. Retail Sales MoM in New Zealand is expected to be 0.10 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the New Zealand Retail Sales QoQ is projected to trend around 0.50 percent in 2027 and 0.40 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-05-21 10:45 PM
Retail Sales QoQ
Q1 0.9% 0.9% 0.5% 0.4%
2026-08-23 10:45 PM
Retail Sales QoQ
Q2 -0.5% 1.0% 0.1% -0.3%
2026-11-22 09:45 PM
Retail Sales QoQ
Q3 -0.5% 0.1%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Consumer Spending 45912.00 45894.00 NZD Million Jun 2026
Electronic Retail Card Spending YoY 7017.00 7080.00 NZD Million Aug 2026
Retail Sales -0.50 1.00 percent Jun 2026
Retail Sales YoY 3.30 4.50 percent Jun 2026


New Zealand Retail Sales QoQ
In New Zealand, the Retail sales report provides an aggregated measure of sales of retail goods and services over a specific time period. In New Zealand, Retail sales are seasonal, volatile and relatively important to the overall economy.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
-0.50 1.00 27.50 -15.80 1995 - 2026 percent Quarterly
Constant Prices, SA

News Stream
New Zealand Retail Sales Unexpectedly Fall in Q2
Retail sales in New Zealand unexpectedly dropped 0.5% quarter-on-quarter in Q2 2026, reversing an upwardly revised 1.0% growth in the previous quarter and defying market expectations of a 0.1% rise. It was the first quarterly decline in retail sales since Q3 2024, with the figures adjusted for inflation and seasonal effects. The decline was broad-based, with eight of the 15 retail industries recording lower sales volumes, with notable declines in fuel (-13%), motor vehicles and parts (-2.3%), accommodation (-8.0%), and food and beverage services (-2.8%). By contrast, electrical and electronic goods sales rose 9.2%. On an annual basis, retail turnover increased by 3.3%, easing from a 4.5% gain in Q1 and marking the weakest quarterly growth in a year.
2026-08-23
New Zealand Retail Sales Rise More than Expected
Retail sales in New Zealand rose 0.9% quarter-on-quarter in Q1 2026, matching the pace recorded in the previous quarter and surpassing market expectations of 0.5%. The latest result marked the sixth consecutive quarterly increase, with figures adjusted for inflation and seasonal effects. Growth was broad-based, with 10 of the 15 retail industries recording higher sales volumes, notably accommodation (6.1%), pharmaceutical and other store-based retailing (2.8%), hardware, building, and garden supplies (2.7%), and supermarket and grocery stores (1.7%). By contrast, clothing, footwear, and personal accessories sales fell 4.8%.On an annual basis, retail turnover increased 4.5%, following a 4.4% rise in Q4, marking the sixth straight quarter of growth.
2026-05-21
New Zealand Q4 Retail Sales Growth Beats Estimates
Retail sales in New Zealand rose 0.9% qoq in Q4 2025, slowing from 1.9% in the previous quarter but surpassing market expectations of 0.6%. The latest result marked the fifth consecutive quarter, with figures adjusted for inflation and seasonal effects. Growth was broad-based, with 12 of the 15 retail industries logging higher sales volumes, notably pharmaceutical and other store-based retailing (5.2%), electrical and electronic goods (2.2%), and hardware, building, and garden supplies (2.2%). Regionally, sales grew in both the South Island (2.3%) and the North Island (1.5%). On an annual basis, retail turnover increased 4.4%, after a 4.5% growth in Q3, pointing to the fifth straight quarter of gain.
2026-02-22