Wholesale trade figures have improved for the sixth consecutive quarter, boosted by sales of groceries.
The sales figures monitor the level of activity in the wholesale trade sector which supplies retailers.
Statistics New Zealand says the total value of trades within the wholesale trade sector rose by a seasonally adjusted 2.8% to $20.3 billion in the three months to March.
It is the sixth consecutive quarterly increase, and was largely due to a rise in grocery, liquor and tobacco wholesaling.
Motor vehicle and parts wholesaling declined during the quarter.
Meanwhile, the value of seasonally-adjusted wholesale stocks rose a fifth of a percent to $8.8 billion.
