26.11.202521:52:31UTC+00New Zealand Retail Sales Way Above Expectations in Q3

In the third quarter of 2025, New Zealand experienced a 1.9% increase in retail sales as compared to the previous quarter, surpassing the market's anticipated rise of 0.6% and improving upon the 0.5% growth seen in the June quarter. When adjusted for price fluctuations and seasonal variations, eight out of the fifteen retail sectors showed higher sales volumes relative to the June 2025 quarter. Notably, sales in electrical and electronic goods surged by 9.8%, motor vehicles and parts retailing increased by 7.2%, and food and beverage services saw a 1.6% uptick. Conversely, the sectors of supermarkets and grocery stores, clothing, footwear and personal accessories, as well as fuel retailing, experienced notable declines. Regionally, the South Island's retail sales grew by 1.7%, while those in the North Island rose by 1.4%. On a yearly scale, total retail sales advanced by 4.5% in the third quarter, up from a 2.3% growth rate in the second quarter.