The total volume of retail sales in New Zealand increased by $232 million (0.9 percent) in the March 2026 quarter compared with the December 2025 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.
Figures are adjusted for price inflation and seasonal effects.
"Total retail activity rose at a similar pace to the December 2025 quarter," economic indicators spokesperson Michelle Feyen said.
"The increase in activity this quarter was mainly driven by supermarket and grocery stores; hardware, building, and garden supplies; accommodation; and pharmaceutical and other store-based retailing."
Ten of the 15 retail industries had higher retail sales volumes in the March 2026 quarter, compared with the December 2025 quarter.
| Industry (ANZSIC06) | $ |
| Supermarket and grocery stores | 80721000 |
| "Hardware | 56945000 |
| building | 53337000 |
| and garden supplies" | 52149000 |
| Accommodation | 34110000 |
| Pharmaceutical and other store-based retailing | 24410000 |
| Food and beverage services | 17940000 |
| Motor vehicle and parts retailing | 16618000 |
| Electrical and electronic goods retailing | 2770000 |
| "Furniture | 1661000 |
| floor coverings | -4601000 |
| houseware | -11884000 |
| and textile goods" | -16085000 |
| Fuel retailing | -21043000 |
| Specialised food retailing | -55228000 |
| Department stores | |
| Liquor retailing | |
| Non-store and commission-based retailing | |
| Recreational goods retailing | |
| "Clothing | |
| footwear | |
| and personal accessories" |
By industry, the largest movements were:
- supermarket and grocery stores - up 1.7 percent
- hardware, building, and garden supplies - up 2.7 percent
- clothing, footwear, and accessories - down 4.8 percent
- accommodation - up 6.1 percent
- pharmaceutical and other store-based retailing - up 2.8 percent.
Fuel retailing increases
The seasonally adjusted value of fuel sales increased 5.9 percent in the March 2026 quarter, compared with the December 2025 quarter.
When accounting for price effects, the total volume of fuel sales increased 0.2 percent over the same period. Additionally, the value of stocks held by fuel retailers increased 42 percent to $290 million.
Fuel sales in the March 2026 quarter were only partly impacted by conflict in the Middle East, and we expect the full impact to be reflected in the June 2026 quarter release.
Retail sales up in most regions
Thirteen of the 16 regions had higher retail sales values in the March 2026 quarter compared with the December 2025 quarter, after adjusting for seasonal effects.
Sales in the South Island increased by 2.9 percent ($227 million) to $8.1 billion, while sales in the North Island increased by 2.0 percent ($464 million) to $24 billion. Regional data is not adjusted for price effects.
"West Coast and Otago regions saw the largest percentage increases in retail sales this quarter, relative to the previous quarter," Feyen said.
| Region | Percent |
| West Coast | 4.7 |
| Otago | 4.5 |
| Wellington | 3.3 |
| Canterbury | 2.9 |
| Southland | 2.9 |
| Bay of Plenty | 2.2 |
| Gisborne | 2.2 |
| Auckland | 2.1 |
| Manawatū-Whanganui | 2.1 |
| Hawke's Bay | 1.3 |
| Waikato | 1.1 |
| Tasman | 0.6 |
| Northland | 0.4 |
| Taranaki | -0.3 |
| Nelson | -0.7 |
| Marlborough | -3.4 |
