Wholesale trade picks up after flat spell

Wholesale trade sales rose during the December 2012 quarter, after two quarters of falls, Statistics New Zealand said today.

After adjusting for seasonal effects, total sales were up 1.9 percent, returning to $20.9 billion.

"Machinery and equipment and basic materials wholesaling industries comprised most of the growth in the December quarter," industry and labour statistics manager Blair Cardno said. "Both these industries had significant increases in sales compared with the September quarter."

Machinery and equipment wholesaling, up 4.1 percent ($176 million), includes businesses selling consumer electronics, computers and specialised products, as well as farming and construction machinery. Basic materials wholesaling, up 3.8 percent ($171 million), covers businesses selling agricultural supplies and products, as well as building supplies and raw materials.

The trend for total wholesale trade sales remains relatively flat, after a period of strong increases between late 2009 and mid-2011.

The seasonally adjusted value of stocks rose 1.9 percent, to reach $9.2 billion.

See also:
Wholesale Trade Survey: December 2012 quarter  –  Information release