New Zealand retail sales continued to surge during the June quarter, reaching 3.3-per-cent growth, after rising 2.8 per cent in the previous quarter, according to Stats NZ. 

In general, most retail industries saw increased spending, with rises across all regions. The value of retail sales were $27.5 billion in the June quarter, up 37 per cent ($7.4 billion) year on year.

Electrical and electronic goods accounted for the largest increase in sales volumes, up 6.9 per cent. The sector was followed by food & beverage which surged 5.6 per cent during the quarter and had the largest dollar value increase, up $222 million. 

​​“Many retailers saw higher sales this quarter, following the uncertainty of this time last year when the country was emerging from the first major Covid-19 lockdown period,” said Sue Chapman, retail trade manager at Stats NZ. 

While sales volumes of pharmaceutical and other store-based retailing increased by 7.5 per cent, motor vehicle and parts retailing’s were up 3.1 per cent. 

“We received comments from some vehicle respondents, stating a surge in sales of higher-priced vehicles, and that they saw more interest in electric vehicle purchases during this quarter,” Chapman added.

Meanwhile, sales values of non-store and commission-based retailing had the biggest fall, down 1.4 per cent ($7.5 million), followed by recreational goods retailing, down 0.4 per cent ($3.4 million).