Apparel spending in New Zealand has fallen by NZ$6 million in April 2025 compared to the prior month, new seasonally adjusted data from Stats NZ revealed.
This has offset the overall lift in retail spending across New Zealand, which rose just 0.2 percent, or by NZ$12 million in month-on-month terms.
These Stats NZ figures are based on electronic card transactions data.
Apparel is the only category in the core retail industries to record a fall, with consumables, durables and hospitality recorded subdued lifts below, at 0.5 per cent, 0.1 per cent and 0.2 per cent respectively.
Apparel spending in NZ is also down year-on-year, falling by NZ$9 million, hitting NZ$315 million altogether in April 2025. This dragged down an overall spending lift across core retail, which rose just 0.6 per cent or NZ$38 million.
In actual terms – including seasonal variations – apparel sales fell 3.5 per cent in both month-on-month and year-on-year terms, with total core retail sales down 4.2 per cent month-on-month and up just 0.8 per cent year-on-year.
Retail NZ advocacy manager Ann-Marie Johnson said the tiny increase in core retail spending is not enough to improve the outlook for retail.
The Electronic Card Transactions data for April 2025, released today by Stats NZ, shows a tiny increase in sales compared with April 2024, it is not enough to improve the outlook for retail, Retail NZ Advocacy Manager Ann-Marie Johnson says.
The 0.8 per cent lift year-on-year reflects the Easter public holidays, which fell fully within April this year, and also within the April school holiday period. Easter spanned March and April in 2024.
The figures also show that the value of the average transaction has not changed since April last year, with consumers spending $55 per transaction.
“There’s still a long way to go before we see any light at the end of the tunnel,” Johnson said. “Retail NZ members are anticipating slow sales and uncertainty through this winter.
“Although there may be some relief from lower interest rates putting more money in consumers’ pockets, low consumer confidence will continue to rein in spending. We are hoping the upcoming Budget will help restore confidence to the marketplace.”
Retail NZ’s latest quarterly Retail Radar survey, covering January-March 2025, found that 57 per cent of retailers did not meet sales targets for the quarter and had mixed expectations for quarter two sales.
According to peak body Retail NZ, retailers will be looking for next week’s Federal Budget announcements to boost consumer confidence and spending. Strong signals on economic recovery are on Retail NZ’s wish list for the Budget announcements.