Weak winter in wholesale trade

Mixed results in wholesaling industries led to a minor fall in total wholesale trade sales for the September 2012 quarter, Statistics New Zealand said today.

After adjusting for seasonal effects, total sales were down 0.3 percent ($67 million).
“Most wholesaling industries had higher sales this quarter. However, falls in the basic materials, and the other goods wholesaling industries just managed to tip the total wholesale trade sales balance into the negative," industry and labour statistics manager Blair Cardno said.

The basic materials wholesaling industry (down $141 million) covers businesses selling agricultural supplies, products, and raw materials. The other goods wholesaling industry (down $80 million) includes businesses selling pharmaceutical products, furniture, kitchenware, and personal goods (eg clothing and toiletries).

Motor vehicle and motor-vehicle parts wholesaling rebounded in the latest quarter and was up $88 million.
The trend for total wholesale sales has been flat since mid-2011, after a period of strong increases that started in late 2009.

The seasonally adjusted value of stocks rose 0.8 percent, to reach $9.0 billion.

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