(RTTNews) - Retail sales in New Zealand were lower in the three months to September, the third straight quarterly decline.

Statistics NZ reported Thursday that the seasonally adjusted value of sales was down 0.1 percent on quarter.

Sales volumes fell 0.9 percent, the agency said.

Core retail sales volume, which excludes auto-related transactions were down 0.2 percent on quarter, while core sales value was up 0.4 percent.

Statistics NZ said the volume drop was led by supermarket and grocery store sales, although price increases in the sector pushed valued up 0.5 percent.

For the stand-alone month of September, seasonally adjusted total retail sales were up 0.1 percent, with the biggest increase coming in motor vehicle retailing. Core retailing was down 0.5 percent on month.

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Posted in Categories: Economy, New Zealand, Releases.

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