War And Weather Impacted NZ’s Consumer Spending Growth In March

AUCKLAND, 9 April 2026 – Consumer spending transacted through Worldline NZ’s payments network in March was slightly higher than a year ago, but a combination of the effects of war and weather made for a tough end to the month for many merchants.

Consumer spending processed through all Core Retail merchants in Worldline NZ’s payments network during March 2026 reached $3.968B, which is up +0.5% on March 2025, following adjustments for merchants coming and going from the network.

Worldline NZ’s Chief Sales Officer, Bruce Proffit, says the weak spending growth over the month was likely influenced by the war in Iran’s impact on fuel prices, with some additional regional effects from wet weather.

“Spending growth was up +2.9% in the first weekend of March (28-Feb to 1-Mar), around the time of the initial attacks on Iran,” he says; “By the last weekend of March (28-29), spending at Core Retail merchants was barely +0.1% above year-ago levels.”

“Meanwhile spending at fuel outlets in Worldline NZ’s network had risen over the month to be +33.0% above year-ago levels by the last weekend,” says Proffit.

Proffit notes that the end-of-month Core Retail spending slowdown was likely the result of continued growth in spending at Food and Liquor stores but less spending at Hospitality and other Core Retail merchants – patterns consistent with tight budgets affecting discretionary spending.

“Adding to regional challenges towards the end of the month was heavy rainfall, reducing spending in regions such as Auckland/Northland, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne.”

Monthly figures for the regions show annual growth rates for Core Retail spending through Worldline NZ’s payments network in March 2026 was highest in Palmerston North (+4.8%), Nelson (+4.2%) and West Coast (+3.0%), while percentage declines in spending from last March were highest in Wairarapa (-2.0%) and Gisborne (-1.7%).

Figure 1: All Cards NZ underlying* spending through Worldline in March 2026 for core retail merchants (* Underlying excludes large clients moving to or from Worldline)

Note:

These figures reflect general market trends and should not be taken as a proxy for Worldline‘s market share or company earnings. The figures primarily reflect transactions undertaken within stores but also include some ecommerce transactions. The figures exclude transactions through Worldline undertaken by merchants outside the Core Retail sector (as defined by Statistics NZ).

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