New Zealand retail sales have recorded a rise in the first quarter of the year - but are lower than expected.
The volume of retail sales rose a seasonally adjusted 0.7 per cent in the first three months of 2014, according to Statistics New Zealand.
However, the figure is less than the 0.8 per cent forecast by economists in a Reuters survey.
Actual sales were up 3.4 per cent in value from the same quarter last year.
This is also lower than the 3.7 per cent forecast in the Reuters survey.
Homewares and textiles were among underperforming categories, falling 2.4 per cent.
Sales in electrical and electronic goods made another strong resurgence, up 5.5 per cent following a 3.7 per cent gain in the fourth quarter.
Hardware, building and garden supplies rose two per cent in the first quarter while food and beverage sales grew 1.5 per cent.
Meanwhile, sales in the supermarket and grocery stores declined 0.7 per cent.