WELLINGTON, Jan 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Spending on groceries, furniture and electronics boosted New Zealand’s Dec, 2020 sales, compared with Dec, 2019, but accommodation and fuel spending were low, the country’s statistics department, Stats NZ said, today.
Total retail card spending rose 3.5 percent in Dec, 2020, up 250 million New Zealand dollars (178 million U.S. dollars), compared with the same period in 2019.
For the Dec, 2020 quarter, actual retail card spending, using electronic cards was 20 billion NZ dollars, up 4.3 percent compared with the Dec, 2019 quarter.
Retail spending rose in four of the six industries in Dec, 2020, compared with Dec, 2019, with higher sales of groceries and liquor and long-lasting goods, such as, furniture, hardware and appliances, it said.
Spending on groceries and liquor had the largest retail industry rise, up 7.5 percent, according to Stats NZ.
“The continued spending on groceries and liquor coincides with the first month of the summer holidays,” retail statistics manager, Craig Liken, said.
“The boost in furniture and electrical goods, such as, cell phones and laptops, reflects Kiwis spending on Christmas gifts and during Boxing Day sales.”
Despite a significant lull in Apr and May, due to lockdown restrictions, annual card spending on durables, long-lasting goods, such as furniture, hardware, and appliances, was up five percent.
Spending on hotels, motels, and other accommodations was down 32 percent, it said.
“Low spending on accommodation coincides with the lack of international tourists, because of COVID-19 travel restrictions,” Liken said.
“Kiwis unable to travel internationally during the summer holidays resulted in domestic tourism and has seen the lift in spending on eating out,” Liken said.
Fuel industry spending was down 12 percent, he said, adding, fuel spending has been low since the lockdown in Apr, compared with the same time the year before, mainly due to lower fuel prices.
“While total spending is similar to 2019, spending patterns changed, with less spending on hospitality and fuel, and more on groceries, furniture, and electronics.”
Spending on groceries, furniture, and electrical and hardware goods drove the overall increase in Dec, 2020 quarter spending, he said.– NNN-AGENCIES
