Consumer spending increased in the three months to June boosted by major sporting events.
The opening ceremony in Auckland of the World Masters Games, which, along with the Lions tour helped boost consumer spending. Photo: Photosport
Official figures show retail volumes, which leave out price moves, rose a seasonally-adjusted 2 percent.
That compared with a 1.6 percent rise in the previous quarter.
Record spending in bars, restaurants, and commercial accommodation drove the increase, as more than 50,000 people attended the World Masters Games or the Lions Rugby tour.
There was a big rise in spending on electronic goods, hardware and garden goods, but spending on cars eased back from the previous quarter's surge.
