Brexit bargains lure Kiwi shoppers

Regent Street in London. The weak pound is attracting Kiwis to British online shops. Photo / Getty

Post-Brexit bargains continue to lure New Zealanders to shop online in Britain.

Online sales overseas were up $15 million, or 12 per cent, in July compared to the same month last year, according to Marketview figures released by the BNZ.

Online shopping by Kiwis in Britain surged following the Brexit poll on June 23 - when Britain voted to exit the European Union.

The UK pound weakened considerably following the referendum, eventually dropping to a 30-year low against the United States dollar. One New Zealand dollar was worth 55.21 British pence, up from 48.72p before the referendum result.

The website of popular British-based online apparel and footwear retailer ASOS crashed due to demand.

Other retailers Debenhams, Marks and Spencer, and boohoo were popular, offering free freight to New Zealand.

Marketview said spending at British sites accounted for 20 per cent of all online spending by Kiwis in the past year - a jump of 2 per cent from last year.

The figures showed increases in spending at British sites in all eight categories. Footwear increased 146 per cent off a low base.

"There was also a decent lift in the food and liquor trade, up 105 per cent in spending and 95 per cent in transactions," Marketview said.

"As the NZ dollar continues to fluctuate, many Kiwis are choosing to keep calm and carry on spending, especially at British online retailers."

In the Brexit vote 52 per cent of the more than 30 million people who turned out elected to leave the European Union.