Hospitality boosts card spending in September

Hospitality boosts card spending in September

11 October 2016

Shoppers spent more on food and drinks in restaurants and takeaway shops and on accommodation in September, Statistics New Zealand said today.

Total retail spending using electronic cards was $4.7 billion in September 2016, up $274 million (6.1 percent) from September 2015. The largest increase came from the hospitality industry, up $123 million (16 percent).

"The hospitality spending increase coincides with an increasing number of international visitors to New Zealand," business indicators senior manager Neil Kelly said.

When adjusted for seasonal effects, retail spending increased 1.9 percent from August 2016 – the biggest percentage increase since May 2006. This follows a 1.2 percent drop in August.

The largest increases in September 2016 were:

• durables, up $35 million (2.9 percent)

• hospitality, up $23 million (2.5 percent).

The durables industry includes furniture, hardware, and appliance retailing; and pharmacy, cosmetic, and toiletry retailing. The hospitality industry includes accommodation, bars, cafés and restaurants, and takeaway retailing.

Core retail spending (which excludes the vehicle-related industries) increased 2.3 percent in September 2016, after a 1.4 percent decrease in August. This is the biggest percentage increase since January 2006.

The total value of electronic card spending, including the two non-retail industries (services, and other non-retail), was up 2.0 percent in September. This follows a 1.1 percent decrease in August 2016.

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.

For more information about these statistics:

• Visit Electronic Card Transactions: September 2016

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