Palmerston North City Monthly Economic Update - Retail trade survey

The rate of growth in total retail sales (including motor vehicle sales and servicing) in Palmerston North slowed slightly during December while retail sales growth at the national level achieved a small increase. However city retail sales growth is still well ahead of national sales growth, rising by 17% in the three months ended December (compared with the same period last year), well above the national increase of 6%.


National motor vehicle sales and servicing expenditure rose by 11% in the three months ended December, with most of the growth coming from a 22% increase in sales in the automotive fuel retailing sector. Palmerston North vehicle sales and servicing expenditure rose by 31% in the three months ended December. It appears higher vehicle sales as well as increased fuel prices contributed to the growth (Source: Statistics New Zealand)



Source: Statistics NZ / Palmerston North City Council / APR Consultants / Destination Manawatu


Accommodation Surveys


Guest nights in commercial accommodation in the Manawatu (Palmerston North City and Manawatu District) fell by 3.2% in the December 2007 quarter (from December 2006) Overall guest nights for the year ended December 2007 were 0.3% down from the previous year. (Source: Statistics New Zealand)


Domestic guest nights in private accommodation increased by 14% for the year ended December 2007 compared with the previous year while international guest nights in private accommodation increased by 15%. Approximately 40% of visitors to Palmerston North stay in commercial accommodation while 60% stay in private accommodation, for example with friends and family, private board or visitors to the city billeted in local homes (such as sports teams). (Source: APR Consultants Ltd)


Forthcoming Releases


Building consents 27 February

Accommodation survey 12 March

Retail sales 13 March