Retail spending up in January

Retail spending using electronic cards increased 5.6 per cent in January 2017 to $5.1 billion, Statistics New Zealand announced today. Spending increased across all six retail industries. When adjusted for seasonal effects, retail card spending for vehicles, and fuel were among the best-performing industries. Spending for cars, excluding fuel, rose 2.6 per cent in January 2017 to $164 million, compared to $154 million in January 2016. Spending for fuel rose 2.7 per cent to $642 million, up from $579 million in the previous January. The other four retail industries all increased. Durables rose 3.1 per cent to $1.2 billion, consumables grew 1.3 per cent to $1.8 billion, hospitality increased 1.7 per cent to $1 billion, and apparel went up 2.5 per cent to $294 million. Adjusted retail card spending across all industries rose 2.7 per cent in January from December 2016. “The lift in retail card spending in January was across the board, from food and liquor to clothing, petrol, and cars, as well as a bounce back for furniture, hardware, and appliances,” business indicators senior manager Neil Kelly said in a press statement.