According to Statistics New Zealand figures, seasonally adjusted total retail sales rose just 0.8 percent ($42 million) in January 2010.  The rise was led by the vehicle related industries with supermarket and grocery store sales up a modest $2m.  Overall, sales were very flat with most industries recording rises or falls of less than $5 million in January.

In February 2010, food prices fell 1.3 percent in the February 2010 month with four of the five subgroups dropping and one displaying no change.  The most significant decreases were in fruit and vegetable (down 3.5 percent) and meat, poultry and fish (down 2.4 percent).  For the year to February 2010, food prices rose 0.7 percent.  Overall, food prices are 0.7 percent higher than a year ago but 9.6 percent higher than two years ago