Retail sales using electronic cards in September were the strongest in four months, according to official numbers.
Statitistics New Zealand said sales using credit and debit cards rose 0.9 percent on the previous month, and were more than 6 percent higher than the same time a year ago.
Sales of household goods such as appliances and furniture were especially strong, and core retail sales, which exclude spending on fuel and vehicles, were at their highest in more than two years.
Westpac bank senior economist Satish Ranchhod said consumers may have been looking to buy to avoid higher prices caused by the weaker New Zealand dollar.
