The objective of this paper is to investigate some factors influencing the level of sales from retail stores in New Zealand and to give some projections of possible future levels of sales in five years and ten years from the present. Some forecasts for certain retail groups in 1966 are also attempted, providing a means whereby the method and results can be quickly tested against observed reality. Retail trading forms an important sector of the New Zealand economy and so any knowledge of the likely future course of sales should be of great value to those interested in New Zealand economic policy, as well as to those who are directly interested in retail trading itself.