Retailers are looking forward to a good Christmas trading season and are encouraged by the latest Retail Trade Statistics that show a rise in retail spending.

Mark Johnston, Retail NZ CEO, said that the statistics showed a 1.5 per cent rise in retail spending over the last quarter, showing that trading is continuing to improve.

“We’ve just completed a snapshot survey of our members which shows that 43 per cent of retailers think the last quarter has been better than the previous quarter, and 33 per cent think it’s been about the same. Just under a quarter of retailers have found business to be more challenging over the last three months. The results are similar right around the country and our poll reinforces the official Statistics New Zealand view of slow but steady increases in retail spending,” he said.

The majority of retailers are positive about the upcoming Christmas period, Johnston said.

“There’s good news on the horizon too. Kiwis are getting ready for Christmas, and retailers are looking forward to their busiest trading period of the year, with nearly two-thirds of them expecting a good Christmas sales period.”