Retailers are hoping a sales rebound means an industry uptick has begun

Stats NZ data shows total retail sales increased 0.9 percent in the three months ending December - against the quarter before.

Economists had predicted a point-5 to point-8 percent lift.

Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young says they've had a mixed start to the year.

She says many reported a very strong start, which then dropped off quite a lot.