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Total retail sales grew in January by 0.8% but the underlying trend for core retail sales remains flat.
The latest Statistics New Zealand figures suggest consumers are still cautious with core sales up just 0.3% ($12 million) in January following a fall of 2% in December.
Economists say the numbers were weaker than anticipated and back up the view that a hike in the Official Cash Rate won't come until around June or July.
The 0.8% increase in retail sales to $42 million in January was led by vehicle-related industries. Fuel was up 2.8% or $15 million and vehicle sales up 2.0% or $12 million.
Recreational goods and accommodation were the only two industries in core retailing to exceed $5 million," business statistics manager Louise Holmes-Oliver says.
The total retail sales trend has continued to rise, increasing 3.3% since February 2009.
Sales were up 1.5% in the North Island and flat in the South Island.
