10 Jun 2009

Retail spending up for third consecutive month

7:33 pm on 10 June 2009

Further signs are emerging of a recovery in retail spending.

Statistics New Zealand says that, excluding car and fuel sales, the seasonally adjusted value of core retail electronic card spending rose 1.6% in May.

It was the third consecutive monthly increase.

Statistics New Zealand says the main contributions came from food and alcohol purchases.

Overall, total electronic spending rose 0.7%.

Electronic card spending, which includes debit, credit and charge cards, covers about two-thirds of retail sales.