Apparel imports totalled NZ$***.** million (~$***.* million) in July, compared with NZ$***.** million (~$***.* million) in July ****, according to the latest Stats NZ data. Out of it, imports of knitted apparel under HS Chapter ** rose by *.* per cent to NZ$**.** million (~$**.* million) from NZ$**.** million. Non-knitted apparel imports under HS Chapter ** were virtually unchanged at NZ$**.** million (~$**.* million), compared with NZ$**.** million a year earlier.
During January–July ****, combined apparel imports declined by *.* per cent to NZ$*.*** billion (~$***.* million) from NZ$*.*** billion (~$***.* million) in the corresponding period of ****. Knitted apparel imports decreased by * per cent to NZ$***.** million (~$***.* million) from NZ$***.** million. Non-knitted apparel recorded a steeper decline of *.* per cent, falling to NZ$***.** million (~$***.* million) from NZ$***.** million.
The latest figures indicate that New Zealand’s apparel import demand continued to stabilise after weakness earlier in the year. However, the cumulative decline suggests that retailers remained cautious over sourcing and inventory commitments amid restrained consumer demand.
