New Zealand’s core retail sales increased in the December quarter amid growth across most categories.

Stats NZ data showed that core retail sales rose 1.4 per cent to $26.36 billion from the year-ago period, with accommodation posting the largest growth rate of 7.5 per cent to $1.53 billion.

Pharmaceutical and other store-based retailing rose 4 per cent to $2.30 billion, while liquor climbed 3.3 per cent to $612 million, and food and beverages jumped 3.2 per cent to $4.25 billion.

Recreational goods improved 2.6 per cent to $968 million, followed by supermarket and grocery stores increasing 1.7 per cent to $7.2 billion.

Furniture, floor coverings, houseware, and textiles went up 1 per cent to $871 million, while specialised food also rose 1 per cent to $549 million.

Electrical and electronic goods inched 0.6 per cent higher to $1 billion, and clothing, footwear, and accessories expanded 0.1 per cent to $1.5 billion.

Meanwhile, non-store and commission-based retailing declined 8.8 per cent to $544 million, and hardware, building, and garden supplies fell 2.3 per cent to $2.86 billion.

Department stores slid 0.8 per cent to $2.17 billion.