Sales across New Zealand’s apparel sector in June 2025 have fallen by 8.4 per cent in actual terms, hitting a total NZ$301 million (~A$275 million) compared to May 2025.
This is according to electronic card transaction data from Stats NZ.
The fall in actual sales across apparel added to a total NZ$168 million fall in total core retail, which includes consumables, durables and hospitality, but minus services and vehicles.
The only core retail sector recording a month-on-month lift in sales was consumables.
Compared to June 2024, apparel sales fell by NZ$28 million in June this year, with total core retail sales dropping by NZ$211 million in the same time frame.
In seasonally adjusted terms, excluding estimated seasonal fluctuations, apparel sales fell 0.8 per cent month-on-month, with total core retail down 0.1 per cent.
The total value of electronic card spending, including the two non-retail categories (services and other non-retail), decreased from May 2024, down NZ$45 million or 0.5 per cent.
In actual terms, cardholders made 157 million transactions across all industries in June 2024, with an average value of $55 per transaction. The total amount spent using electronic cards was $8.5 billion.
Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young said the above figures show retailers are continuing to face challenges.
“The retail sector is continuing to battle strong headwinds, with low consumer confidence limiting sales.,” Young said.
“Consumers are continuing to be careful with their spending and we have yet to see the boost expected from lower interest rates.”