According to figures released by Stats NZ, the total volume of retail sales in New Zealand rose by 0.5% in the June 2025 quarter compared to the March 2025 quarter.
The figures have been adjusted to account for price inflation and seasonal variations.
“Retail activity recorded a modest increase in the June quarter, with growth seen in most industries,” economic indicators spokesperson Michelle Feyen said.
“Electrical and electronic goods, supermarkets and grocery stores, and pharmaceutical retailing saw the largest increases this quarter.”
Based on the report, retail sales volumes grew in 8 out of 15 retail industries during the June 2025 quarter compared to the March 2025 quarter. This comes following the adjustments for price and seasonal factors.
The main drivers behind the increase in retail activity in the June 2025 quarter were:
- electrical and electronic goods retailing – up 4.6%
- supermarket and grocery stores – up 1.3%
- pharmaceutical and other store-based retailing – up 1.2%
- department stores – up 1.0%
Sales in the South Island rose by 0.2% ($12.0 million) to reach $7.6 billion, whereas sales in the North Island declined by 0.3% ($67.3 million) to $22.7 billion. Regional data has not been adjusted for price effects.
Feyen said, “Between the June 2022 and June 2025 quarters, actual retail sales have increased by 17.7 percent in the South Island compared with 3.5 percent in the North Island.”
Retail sales growth has been stronger in the South Island than in the North Island in 10 of the past 12 quarters.