Retail spending using electronic cards was $4.6 billion in July 2015, up $244 million (5.6 per cent) from July 2014, Statistics New Zealand said today.

When adjusted for seasonal effects, retail spending rose 0.4 per cent in July 2015 compared with June 2015. This rise follows a 0.5 per cent rise in June.

“All six retail industries had higher sales this month,” business indicators manager, Neil Kelly, said. “Apparel had the largest increase, while the other five industries rose modestly – though two of these were almost unchanged.”

Core retail spending, which excludes vehicle-related industries, rose 0.5 per cent in July 2015, following a 0.1 per cent rise in June.

The total value of electronic card spending, including the two non-retail industries (services and other non-retail), rose 1.1 per cent. This follows a 0.7 per cent rise in June 2015.

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.