Retail spending using electronic cards was $4.6 billion in May, up $143 million (3.2 per cent) from May 2014, Statistics New Zealand said today.

When adjusted for seasonal effects, retail spending rose 1.2 per cent in May 2015  compared with April 2015. This rise follows a decrease of 0.7 per cent in April.

“Spending rose in five of the six retail industries,” business indicators manager, Neil Kelly, said. “Fuel spending had the largest rise, continuing a recent run of increases, but is still below the levels seen before the price falls of late last year.”

Core retail spending, which excludes vehicle-related industries, rose 0.4 per cent in May, following a 0.9 per cent fall in April.

The total value of electronic card spending, including the two non-retail industries (services and other non-retail), rose 1.4 per cent. This rise follows a 1.2 per cent fall in April.

Trends for the total, retail, and core retail series have generally been rising since these series began in October 2002.

Values are only available at the national level, and are not adjusted for price changes.