Total retail spend in New Zealand for the 28 days ending 28 July 2013 was $2,455.4 million. This represents an increase of 0.7% from the previous 28 days and an increase of 6.7% from the 28 days ending 28 July 2012. Compared to July 2012, spending in July 2013 was up in all but one retail category.
Despite a 1.3% decrease against June 2013, Travel & Accommodation spending versus same month last year was up 10.6%. Last month ten of the sixteen regions decreased, this month eight of the ten regions fought back. Only Gisborne (4.3%) and Northland (1.9%) continued to decrease. DIY is on the rise in 2013. Home & Building Supplies spending was up 9.8% on the same month last year. This seems to be a pattern with spend this year outdoing spend last year each month (June 9.1%, May 12%, April 3%). Spending was up in all but two regions with the North Islanders finally getting into DIY as much as their southern counterparts, increases of 9.9% and 9.6% respectively. This was thanks in part to a 20.9% increase in Northland. Liquor Store spending fluctuated across the regions with big highs and lows. Overall the category increased 3.1%. This was a mild result given an increase of over 38% in Marlborough adding to increases in Otago (11.3%), Tasman (9.9%), and Canterbury (6.9%). Fuel & Service Station spending experienced the largest increase this month (up 12.5%) as a result of increases in every region, which unfortunately could result in increased prices at the pump. All regions increased by over 9% with the biggest increases coming from Gisborne 15.2%, Hawke’s Bay 15.1% and Otago 15.3%. Recreation & Entertainment spending was up across the board with the exception of the West Coast. The largest increases were in Gisborne, Auckland, Nelson and Hawke’s Bay all up over 20%. Metropolitan areas outspent their Non Metropolitan counterparts while North Islanders out did the Southerners. Books & Stationery spending suffered its third consecutive month of decreases, dropping 4.1%. Nelson and Tasman tried their best to offset decreases of over 9% in seven of the regions by increasing by 7.6% and 3.8% respectively. Of our largest centres, Wellington was the most disappointing spend wise. Spending decreased in the Clothing & Footwear, Department Stores and Books & Stationery categories. It wasn’t all bad news, Fuel & Service Station spending and Recreation & Entertainment increased by over 10%. 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
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E:getpumpt@pumpt.co.nzW: www.pumpt.co.nz
