Retail activity in New Zealand rose by 0.5 percent in the June 2025 quarter compared with March, according to new figures from Stats NZ.

Eight out of 15 industries recorded higher sales volumes once inflation and seasonal effects were factored in.

The strongest gains came from electrical and electronic goods, up 4.6 percent, supermarkets and grocery stores, up 1.3 percent, and pharmaceutical retailing, up 1.2 percent.

Department stores also rose 1 percent.

Stats NZ spokesperson Michelle Feyen said the results reflected “a modest increase” with growth spread across several sectors.

While total sales in the North Island fell slightly by 0.3 percent ($67.3m), the South Island recorded a 0.2 percent lift ($12m).

Over the past three years, South Island growth has consistently outpaced the North, rising 17.7 percent compared with 3.5 percent in the North Island.

For Coasties, the national uptick in supermarket and pharmacy sales points to steady household spending, while the jump in electronics shows Kiwis are still keen to upgrade gadgets.

Even modest increases signal resilience in retail, a sector many local businesses rely on.

Retail sales data is closely watched as a pulse check on consumer confidence.

With ten of the last 12 quarters showing stronger growth in the South, Hibiscus Coast retailers will be hoping for a rebound closer to home in the months ahead.

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