Retail spending using electronic cards reached $6 billion in December 2015, up $304 million (5.3 per cent) from December 2014, Statistics New Zealand said today. This is the highest-ever monthly figure.

However, when adjusted for seasonal effects, retail spending was down 0.2 per cent in December 2015, following a 0.2 per cent rise in November 2015.

“While card spending was up in five of the six retail industries in December, a significant fall in the durables industry has lowered overall card spending in the retail sector,” business indicators manager, Clara Eatherley said.

The largest retail movements in December 2015 were:
• durables, down $21 million (1.8 per cent)
• hospitality, up $13 million (1.6 per cent).

Core retail spending (which excludes the vehicle-related industries) fell 0.4 per cent in December 2015, following a 0.3 per cent rise in November.

The total value of electronic card spending, including the two non-retail industries (services and other non-retail), was up 0.1 per cent in December 2015. This follows a 0.2 per cent rise in total spending in November.

Trends for the total, retail, and core retail series have generally been rising since these series began in October 2002, but appear to be easing in recent months.

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

For more information about these statistics: visit Electronic Card Transactions: December 2015.