Online spending for November was up five per cent compared with the same month in 2013, reported the BNZ Online Retail Sales Report. Online spending at local retailers was up two per cent compared with November 2013, which is a rate similar to that of bricks and mortar stores. Growth lifts to 4.5 per cent if the daily deals sector is excluded. There is a considerable variability across categories, with local online sales in housewares, electronic goods, toys and specialised food up 20 per cent c
ompared with November 2013.
The spending rate at offshore online retailers in November was up 11 per cent, compared with the same month last year.
Spending at offshore online retailers slowed down after an increase of 28 per cent in October compared with October 2013.
This rate was possibly influenced by a shift of spending, with sales normally made in November moving to October.
While the purchase of electronic goods at offshore sites during November was lower compared with November 2013, the sector was still showing strong growth.
Total growth in the electronic good sector was up almost 40 per cent on last year when the months of October and November were combined.
For the three months ending November, online spending at offshore merchants was up 18 per cent compared with the same period last year.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that spending at local online stores may reflect the increase in spending at offshore merchants in December.
