Business sales are skyrocketing across the South Island, but the outlook seems more bleak in the capital

ABC's quarterly market report shows business sales are up 28 percent across the country on this time last year, with average prices up three percent.

It finds sales in the South Island are up 70 percent year on year, but Wellington is down 10 percent.

ABC's Business Managing Director Chris Small says it comes down to a combination of the state of the economy and businesses in itself.

He says the South Island's going at a slightly better tempo, which is replicated in the data.