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(KPL/Xinhua) New Zealand's total volume of retail sales fell 0.5 percent, or 138 million NZ dollars (82.6 million U.S. dollars), in the June 2026 quarter from the previous quarter, official data showed on Monday.
The decline came despite higher fuel prices driving a sharp increase in fuel retailing sales values, Stats NZ economic indicators spokesperson Michelle Feyen said in a statement.
"However, once the effect of price changes is removed, fuel retailing recorded the largest fall in sales volumes of the industries measured," Feyen was quoted as saying.
Fuel retailing, affected by the conflict in the Middle East, dropped 13 percent in the quarter, Stats NZ said, noting that eight of the 15 retail industries recorded lower sales volumes in the June quarter compared with the March quarter.
Electrical and electronic goods retailing rose 9.2 percent, while motor vehicle and parts retailing fell 2.3 percent, accommodation dropped 8 percent, and food and beverage services declined 2.8 percent, the statistics department said.
Meanwhile, retail sales values rose in nine of New Zealand's 16 regions in the June quarter after adjusting for seasonal effects, it said.
Sales values in the South Island increased 1.5 percent to 8.3 billion NZ dollars, while those in the North Island rose 0.8 percent to 24 billion NZ dollars, statistics showed. (1 NZ dollar equals 0.6 U.S. dollars)
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