Total retail sales in New Zealand in the first quarter of this year ended last March decreased by 0.5%, with a total of 133 million dollars, compared to the revised reading of the fourth quarter of last year, to 8.3%, while expectations were to achieve a growth of about 0.3%.

In details, sales in the auto and spare parts trade decreased by 4%, and sales of equipment, construction and garden supplies declined by 5.5%, while sales of electrical and electronic retail trade increased by 2.7%.

The New Zealand dollar is trading down against the US dollar at 0.6425 levels, after the pair’s gains in the last three sessions.