For the first time since mid-October there was an increase in consumer spending on BNZ credit and debit cards, reports the BNZ MarketView.

Retail spending was up 0.27 per cent for the week ending November 30, 2014, compared with the same week last year.

The volume of transactions were up 0.52 per cent, compared with 2013.

The apparel industry has experienced a drop in activity, with spending at clothing retailers down 14.4 per cent, and at footwear down 11.4 per cent.

Over the past four weeks, clothing retailers have had a decrease in spending of 12.2 per cent, and footwear retailers 10.9 per cent.

Marketview said that when making comparisons, it was important to remember that November 2013 was a particularly strong month for retail.

While figures this year may be flat compared with last year, there is an increase of 6.2 per cent compared with the comparative week of retail spending in 2012, the report said.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas an increase in retail spending is expected.

In each of the past two years, the last week before Christmas has seen 36 to 37 per cent of pre-Christmas spending completed.

With 34 to 35 per cent of transactions made over this period, indications are that more expensive purchases were made earlier in December.