The total volume of retail sales in New Zealand increased by 0.5 percent in the June 2025 quarter compared with the March 2025 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.
Figures are adjusted for price inflation and seasonal effects.
"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."
Eight of the 15 retail industries had higher retail sales volumes in the June 2025 quarter compared with the March 2025 quarter, after adjusting for price and seasonal effects.
| "Industry (ANZSIC06)" | "$" |
| "Electrical and electronic goods retailing" | "102161000" |
| "Supermarket and grocery stores" | " 60517000" |
| "Pharmaceutical and other store-based retailing" | " 20937000" |
| "Department stores" | " 19719000" |
| "Recreational goods retailing" | " 12855000" |
| "Non-store and commission-based retailing" | " 11630000" |
| "Furniture | " 9146000" |
| floor coverings | " 4777000" |
| houseware | " -1128000" |
| and textile goods" | " -8045000" |
| "Liquor retailing" | " -8366000" |
| "Motor vehicle and parts retailing" | " -9135000" |
| "Specialised food retailing" | "-16696000" |
| "Food and beverage services" | "-17451000" |
| "Hardware | "-51579000" |
| building | |
| and garden supplies" | |
| "Fuel retailing" | |
| "Accommodation" | |
| "Clothing | |
| footwear | |
| and personal accessories" |
The biggest contributors to the rise in retail activity in the June 2025 quarter were:
- electrical and electronic goods retailing - up 4.6 percent
- supermarket and grocery stores - up 1.3 percent
- pharmaceutical and other store-based retailing - up 1.2 percent
- department stores - up 1.0 percent.
Retail sales down in most regions across the country
Sales in the South Island increased by 0.2 percent ($12.0 million) to $7.6 billion, while sales in the North Island decreased by 0.3 percent ($67.3 million) to $22.7 billion. Regional data is not adjusted for price effects.
"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," Feyen said.
In 10 of the last 12 quarters, retail sales growth has been stronger in the South Island when compared with the North Island.
| Quarter | North Island | South Island |
| Jun-22 | 1.7 | 4.2 |
| Sept-22 | 1.2 | 4 |
| Dec-22 | 0.5 | 0.6 |
| Mar-23 | -0.3 | -0.1 |
| Jun-23 | 0.6 | 0.9 |
| Sept-23 | 0.3 | 0.6 |
| Dec-23 | -1.2 | -0.3 |
| Mar-24 | 0.2 | 2.1 |
| Jun-24 | -1.4 | -1.6 |
| Sept-24 | -0.9 | -1 |
| Dec-24 | 1.5 | 3.4 |
| Mar-25 | 1.5 | 2.2 |
| Jun-25 | -0.3 | 0.2 |
Twelve of the 16 regions had lower retail sales values in the June 2025 quarter compared with the March 2025 quarter, after adjusting for seasonal effects.
| Region | Percent |
| Otago | 2.6 |
| Hawke's Bay | 1.3 |
| Bay of Plenty | 0.7 |
| Nelson | 0.6 |
| Canterbury | -0.2 |
| Manawatū-Whanganui | -0.2 |
| Auckland | -0.2 |
| Tasman | -0.2 |
| Taranaki | -0.5 |
| Waikato | -0.6 |
| Malborough | -1 |
| Northland | -1.1 |
| Wellington | -1.2 |
| Southland | -2.6 |
| Gisborne | -3.5 |
| West Coast | -4.4 |
