According to the BNZ online retail sales report, total online retail spending in May was up 11 per cent compared to May 2014 levels. This is a solid result for the month as spending jumped back up following the seasonal dip in April.

Online purchases at domestic merchants in May were up three per cent on the spending levels a year earlier, which is broadly similar to the growth in spending at physical stores,  approximately four per cent based on electronic card transactions.

Spending at international sites in May was up an impressive 23 per cent on the level seen in May last year. This is particularly strong, although it partly reflects last year’s figure being slightly lower than the trend at the time.

The softening New Zealand dollar is making overseas goods more expensive, but underlying purchase volumes continue to grow.

The entertainment media, specialised food, and pharmacy and cosmetic categories post strong rises.

The increase in the groceries category since May last year was mainly driven by the “other specialised food” component, which includes supplements.

The furniture, housewares and hardware category is smaller than most of the others, and given monthly volatility in consumer spending it is not relevant to read too much into the year-on-year spending drop this month.

Clothing purchases from offshore sites were up by more than 30 per cent on the level in May 2014. Clothing purchases from local merchants also grew, but more slowly (up seven per cent).