Retail sales rose 4.9 per cent in the December quarter, slowing from a 7.4 per cent surge higher in the September quarter when shoppers opened their pockets following lockdown. Robust sales of vehicles, hardware supplies and electrical items contributed to the $1.3 billion increase in total retail sales compared with the December 2019 quarter, Stats NZ said. Spending on motor vehicles rose 12 per cent, or $412 million, in the December quarter, following a 13 per cent increase in the September quarter. “The strong housing market and continued household improvements have kept consumer demands high for the hardware and garden supplies sales,” said retail statistics manager Sue Chapman. Meanwhile, North Island spending was boosted by higher sales from regions with larger city centres.

Source: Stuff February 23, 2021 00:56 UTC