Retailers have had a quieter start to the year after the busy end to 2021.
Sales of hardware, building and garden supplies were down 5.5 percent in the latest quarter. Photo: 123RF
Stats NZ's retail trade survey for the three months ended March shows seasonally adjusted sales volumes fell 0.5 percent, compared to the 8.3 percent rise in the December quarter.
The numbers were below some expectations, with the ANZ and ASB banks forecasting a quarterly rise of 1 percent and 1.5 percent respectively.
Stats NZ said the flat numbers were driven by volatility in vehicle and hardware sales.
Motor vehicle and parts retailing was down 4 percent, with hardware, building and garden supplies down 5.5 percent.
Both industries recorded strong rises of 19 percent and 32 percent respectively in the December quarter.
The largest increases were in electrical and electronic goods, up 2.7 percent, and pharmaceutical and other store-based retailing up 3.5 percent compared with the previous quarter, Stats NZ said.