Stats NZ has recorded an uptick in retail sales in New Zealand for the third quarter of this year. 

The seasonally adjusted value of retail sales was up 1.5 per cent to $31 billion, with the actual retail sales value at $30 billion. 

The seasonally adjusted retail sales volume was $25 billion, up by 0.8 per cent. 

Stock on hand recorded at the end of March was $9.3 billion, down 1.5 per cent year on year. 

Pharmaceutical and other store-based retailing saw the highest sales volume increase at 3.7 per cent, followed by clothing, footwear and personal accessories up by 3.2 per cent. 

Motor vehicle and parts retailing saw a 3.1 per cent increase, while hardware, building and garden supplies saw a 2.1 per cent decline.

Liquor retailing saw the biggest dip, down 6.5 per cent, according to a report by Retail NZ.

Otago saw the largest increase in sales value of 3.2 per cent at $55 million, followed by Wellington, up by 2.5 per cent at $67 million, and Canterbury, up by 2.4 per cent at $96 million. 

Auckland and the Bay of Plenty saw an uptick of 1.9 per cent each at $211 million and $35 million, respectively.