New Zealand’s retail sector lost some momentum in the second quarter of 2026, with sales rising 3.3% compared with the same period a year earlier. This marks a slowdown from the first quarter of 2026, when retail sales were up 4.5% year-on-year.
The latest figures, updated on 23 August 2026, suggest that consumer spending is still growing but at a more modest pace than at the start of the year. The deceleration in annual growth between the first and second quarters may indicate a shift in household demand or growing pressure on consumers, factors that will be closely watched by businesses and policymakers in the months ahead.
