Eating Out Boosts Retail Card Spending in October

Eating Out Boosts Retail Card Spending in October

People spent more eating out in October 2017, with the hospitality industry up $15 million, Stats NZ said today. This helped nudge retail card spending up 0.3 percent in the month, when adjusted for seasonal effects.

"The latest increase in the hospitality industry reflected spending in bars, cafés and restaurants, and takeaway shops," retail manager Sue Chapman said.

Spending rose in four of the six industries. The largest movement was in the hospitality industry, up $15 million (1.5 percent). The hospitality industry dominated the rise in retail card spending in October.

Fuel spending dipped 0.8 percent in October (seasonally adjusted), although petrol prices rose at the end of October.

Core retail spending (which excludes the vehicle-related industries) rose 0.4 percent in October 2017, after a 0.1 percent rise in September 2017.

Actual retail spending using electronic cards was $5.2 billion in October 2017, up $63 million (1.2 percent) from October 2016.

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

ENDS

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