Thursday, February 6, 2014
Total retail spend in New Zealand for the 28 days ending 28 December 2013 was $3,047.9 million. This represents an increase of 16% from the previous 28 days and an increase of 2.4% from the 28 days ending 28 December 2012.
Compared to December 2012, spending in December 2013 was up in ten of the twelve retail categories observed, spending was also up against November 2013 in ten of the twelve categories. Books & Stationery spending suffered its eighth consecutive month of year on year decreases, falling by 5.9%. Spending decreased in every region with the exception of Tasman (up 1%) with Northland continuing to take the biggest hit. The region decreased by over 20% which followed on from four consecutive months of over 22% decreases. However it wasn’t all bad news as the category did increase 48% compared to the prior month. 2013 certainly was the year of DIY with year on year Home & Building Supplies spending up every month with the exception of September. Despite a 14% decrease in Taranaki the North Islanders outperformed the Southerners increasing 5% compared to 2% in the South. Thanks in part to large increases in Gisborne (16%), Bay of Plenty (9%) and Auckland (8%). Recreation & Entertainment spending bounced back from last month’s year on year decrease of 5% with an increase of 9%. Gisborne (28%), Northland (24%) and Southland (19%) experienced particularly high gains with many other regions also increasing by over 10%. Again the Northerners (with a 10% increase in spending) were getting out and about more than the Southerners (5%). Clothing and Footwear spending decreased in almost every region for a national decrease of 0.7%. Only Auckland, Southland and Wellington were exempt from the decrease with these regions experiencing small increases from 0.4% – 2%. Supermarket spending continues to be up in every region while Fuel/Service Station spending was up in every region excluding Nelson. This led to year on year national increases of 2.4% and 2.9% respectively. Nelson, Northland and the West Coast had the largest increases in Supermarket spending (all over 4%) while Tasman, Taranaki, Northland and Auckland boosted Fuel/Service Station sales all increasing over 4%. December was an interesting month for spending in Gisborne. The region experienced huge year on year increases in some retail categories and large decreases in others. While many regions experienced increases in the Travel & Accommodation category spending in Gisborne decreased by over 21%. On the other hand, Gisborne was the top performer in the Recreation & Entertainment, Home & Building supplies and Health Goods & Services categories with year on year increases of 28%, 16% and 14% respectively. Retailwatch can be used to monitor trends in specific categories that are relevant to you while also building a broader picture of the overall retail environment. If you have any questions or would like further information that would help support your business decision making needs, please don’t hesitate to call us. P: 09 476 0830 F: 09 476 0839 E:
getpumpt@pumpt.co.nz W: www.pumpt.co.nz
