WELLINGTON, May 23 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's total volume of retail sales rose 0.5 percent in the March 2024 quarter, following falls in the previous eight quarters, according to the statistics department Stats NZ on Thursday.
The March quarter saw a modest increase in retail activity, with growth across most industries following two years of declines, said Stats NZ Business Financial Statistics Manager Melissa McKenzie.
Nine of the 15 retail industries had higher retail sales volumes in the March 2024 quarter, compared with the December 2023 quarter, McKenzie said.
Food and beverage services, motor vehicle and parts retailing, recreational goods retailing, and accommodation were the biggest contributors to the rise in retail activity in the March 2024 quarter, she said.
Retail sales were up in most regions, with Canterbury and Otago of the South Island increasing the most in the March quarter, which could have been influenced by more international visitors, an early Easter holiday, and international events, McKenzie said. ■
