Wholesale trade sales rose for the fourth consecutive quarter in March 2017, says Stats NZ.
Seasonally adjusted total wholesale trade sales were up 2.1% in the March 2017 quarter, after rising 1.1% in the December 2016 quarter and 1.1% in the September 2016 quarter.
“The March quarter’s increase in total wholesaling is led by basic material wholesaling,” says business indicators manager Craig Liken.
“Basic material wholesaling includes agricultural products, petroleum, metal and mineral, and timber wholesaling,” he says.
When adjusted for seasonal effects, five of the six wholesaling industries rose in the March 2017 quarter, and one industry had no change.
The largest industry increase was in basic material wholesaling, which was up 3.7% ($186 million) from the December 2016 quarter.
The other industries with significant sales movements were the motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts – up 3.8% ($94 million) and other goods wholesaling – up 2.3% ($88 million).
The other goods wholesaling industry includes textile, clothing, and footwear; pharmaceutical and toiletry products; and furniture and floor covering.
The trend for wholesale trade sales has been increasing since late 2009.
The actual value of wholesale trade sales was $23.4 billion in the most recent quarter, up almost $1.2 billion (5.3%) from the March 2016 quarter.
