The total volume of retail sales in New Zealand decreased by $138 million (0.5 percent) in the June 2026 quarter compared with the March 2026 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.
Sales volumes are adjusted for price inflation and seasonal effects, while sales values are adjusted for seasonal effects only.
"Higher fuel prices drove a sharp increase in fuel retailing sales values in the June 2026 quarter," economic indicators spokesperson Michelle Feyen said.
"However, once the effect of price changes is removed, fuel retailing recorded the largest fall in sales volumes of the industries measured."
Fuel retailing has been affected by the conflict in the Middle East - for more information about the effects of the conflict, see Economic impacts on New Zealand from conflict in the Middle East.
Eight of the 15 retail industries had lower retail sales volumes in the June 2026 quarter, compared with the March 2026 quarter.
| Industry | $ |
| Electrical and electronic goods retailing | 243523000 |
| Pharmaceutical and other store-based retailing | 42572000 |
| "Hardware | 37276000 |
| building | 9199000 |
| and garden supplies" | 1303000 |
| "Furniture | 731000 |
| floor coverings | 227000 |
| houseware | -318000 |
| and textile goods" | -12643000 |
| Non-store and commission-based retailing | -13667000 |
| Liquor retailing | -22816000 |
| Supermarket and grocery stores | -74223000 |
| "Clothing | -74345000 |
| footwear | -89280000 |
| and personal accessories" | -185809000 |
| Specialised food retailing | |
| Recreational goods retailing | |
| Department stores | |
| Food and beverage services | |
| Accommodation | |
| Motor vehicle and parts retailing | |
| Fuel retailing |
By industry, the largest movements were:
- electrical and electronic goods retailing - up 9.2 percent
- fuel retailing - down 13 percent
- motor vehicle and parts retailing - down 2.3 percent
- accommodation - down 8.0 percent
- food and beverage services - down 2.8 percent.
Retail sales values up in most regions
Nine of the 16 regions had higher retail sales values in the June 2026 quarter compared with the March 2026 quarter, after adjusting for seasonal effects.
Sales values in the South Island increased by 1.5 percent ($120 million) to $8.3 billion, while sales values in the North Island increased by 0.8 percent ($196 million) to $24 billion.
| Region | Percent |
| Marlborough | 3.3 |
| Taranaki | 3 |
| Canterbury | 2.4 |
| Southland | 1.8 |
| Waikato | 1.7 |
| Manawatū-Whanganui | 1.7 |
| Northland | 1.5 |
| Tasman | 1.5 |
| Auckland | 1.4 |
| Otago | -0.3 |
| Nelson | -0.5 |
| Wellington | -0.8 |
| Bay of Plenty | -1.1 |
| West Coast | -1.6 |
| Gisborne | -1.8 |
| Hawke's Bay | -2.1 |
