Strong Boxing Day sales failed to lift December retail spending

Wellington CBD At Dusk
New Zealand retailers saw lower consumer spending in December despite strong Boxing Day sales. (Source: Bigstock)

New Zealand retailers saw lower consumer spending in December despite strong Boxing Day sales.

Citing Worldline NZ data, Retail NZ noted that card spending fell 0.7 per cent in New Zealand, with Auckland and Wellington falling 2 per cent.

“Retailers have advised us that the Christmas rush was late arriving and that although Boxing Day sales were busy, they might not make up for the slow start to December,” said Carolyn Young, Retail NZ CEO.

“Profitability will continue to be a major challenge for retailers.”

Earlier, Stats NZ revealed that core retail sales for the September quarter last year fell 1.7 per cent year on year.

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