Retail activity in Christchurch continues to rise, with strong growth in the food and accommodation sectors.
Statistics New Zealand says the city's retail activity rose for a fifth consecutive quarter, with an increase of 1.3% in the December 2012 quarter compared with a 1.7% national rise.
Industry and labour statistics manager Tehseen Islam says the increase was the result of a moderate increase in retail trade and a strong rise in accommodation and food services.
Mr Islam says growth in Christchurch fell behind the rest of the country after the quakes but stronger-than-average increases over the past year, coupled with an easing in the national trend, are closing the gap.
