Retail sales in New Zealand rose 0.9% qoq in Q4 2025, slowing from 1.9% in the previous quarter but surpassing market expectations of 0.6%. The latest result marked the fifth consecutive quarter, with figures adjusted for inflation and seasonal effects. Growth was broad-based, with 12 of the 15 retail industries logging higher sales volumes, notably pharmaceutical and other store-based retailing (5.2%), electrical and electronic goods (2.2%), and hardware, building, and garden supplies (2.2%). Regionally, sales grew in both the South Island (2.3%) and the North Island (1.5%). On an annual basis, retail turnover increased 4.4%, after a 4.5% growth in Q3, pointing to the fifth straight quarter of gain.