Retailers in the Hastings District are reporting consistent sales and healthy growth, according to the latest Retail Trade statistics.

Retail sales have been consistently upheld throughout each quarter since October 2013, with an overall increase in sales of 1.3 per cent compared with last year.

Susan McDade, Hastings City Business Association, said that retailers are looking forward to a busy Christmas period, and are confident that there will be an increase on last year’s retail spend.

While competition from online stores and offshore retailers remains a challenge, the Hastings City Business Association said that those channels do not seem to be significantly impacting on the city’s local retail sector.

“In light of the fact we have had such a flat economy, these figures are really encouraging and show that Hastings retailers are holding their own against other cities. Increased vibrancy from the City Night Market as well the City Assist ambassadors making Hastings a safer place to shop may well have attributed to this,” McDade, said.

The addition of the new Grower’s Market will further increase retail spend, she said.