WELLINGTON, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's retail sales rose 0.9 percent in the December 2025 quarter from the previous three months, driven by holiday spending on discretionary items, Stats NZ reported Monday.
Seasonally adjusted retail volumes increased by 239 million NZ dollars (about 143 million U.S. dollars), supported by strong activity in pharmaceutical and other store-based retailing, electrical and electronic goods, and hardware, building, and garden supplies, according to the statistics department.
Twelve of 15 retail industries recorded gains in the December 2025 quarter, while motor vehicle and grocery sales weakened, it said.
Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young said the figures were a positive sign after years of struggle, with total core retail sales rising 4.5 percent from a year earlier to 27 billion NZ dollars.
Growth in pharmaceuticals, souvenir and stationery stores reflected seasonal tourism and holiday shopping, while a boost in sales of electronic goods benefited from November's Black Friday promotions, Young said.
However, Young noted stock values for core retail industries fell 0.5 percent year on year, and apparel inventories dropped 4.9 percent for the clothing, footwear and accessories segment of the market. ■
