Mixed results for retail card spending in April

Mixed results for retail card spending in April

Retail spending using electronic cards was $4.5 billion in April 2015, up $167 million (3.9 percent) from April 2014, Statistics New Zealand said today.

In actual terms card spending rose in all retail industries except for fuel.

When adjusted for seasonal effects, retail spending fell 0.7 percent in April 2015 compared with March 2015. This fall follows increases of 0.7 percent in March and 1.0 percent in February this year.

"After removing seasonal effects, spending fell in four of the six retail industries," business indicators manager Neil Kelly said. "The largest fall came from the durables industry."

Core retail spending (which excludes the vehicle-related industries) fell 0.8 percent in April 2015, following a 0.6 percent rise in March 2015.

The total value of electronic card spending, including the two non-retail industries (services and other non-retail), fell 1.1 percent. This fall follows a 1.2 percent rise in March 2015.

Trends for the total, retail, and core retail series have generally been rising since these series began in October 2002.

Values are only available at the national level, and are not adjusted for price changes.

ENDS

© Scoop Media