Retail and hospitality sales in Christchurch city continue to rise, Statistics New Zealand said today. Sales for the March 2015 quarter were $1.9 billion, a 5.4 per cent increase compared with the same quarter in 2014. This compares with an increase of 5.1 per cent at the national level (see Retail Trade Survey: March 2015 quarter).
After seasonal fluctuations are removed, Christchurch’s retail and hospitality sales increased 1.2 per cent in the March 2015 quarter, compared with an increase of 1.7 per cent at the national level.
“Retail businesses led this quarter’s growth in Christchurch, with hospitality sales down slightly after strong increases in recent quarters,” business indicators manager, Neil Kelly, said.
Looking at the longer-term picture, the trend for retail and hospitality sales in Christchurch has risen 28 per cent since the June 2010 quarter (before the earthquakes began). This compares with a 21 per cent rise at the national level.
The Christchurch retail trade indicator series measures activity in the retail and hospitality industries. It provides information on the state of these industries after the Canterbury earthquakes that began in September 2010.
