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.

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.

Retail sales in New Zealand rose 1.9% quarter-on-quarter in the three months to September 2025, rising from a 0.5% increase in the June quarter but exceeding market expectations of a 0.6% gain. Adjusted for price and seasonal effects, 8 of the 15 retail industries recorded higher sales volumes compared with the June 2025 quarter. The largest contributions came from electrical and electronic goods, which jumped 9.8%, followed by motor vehicle and parts retailing at 7.2%, and food and beverage services at 1.6%. On the other hand, supermarket and grocery stores, clothing, footwear and personal accessories, and fuel retailing posted the sharpest declines. From a regional perspective, retail sales in the South Island increased by 1.7%, while sales in the North Island increased by 1.4%. On an annual basis, total retail sales climbed 4.5% in Q3, accelerating from the 2.3% gain recorded in Q2.