Card spending rises again

Spending on consumables, such as food and beverages, rose 1.4 per cent, offsetting declines in durable goods, apparel and fuel. Photo / Thinkstock

Retail spending went from strength to strengthen last month as the plastic got more of a workout.

Goods bought with debit, credit and charge cards - which account for just over two-thirds of retail spending - rose 0.6 per cent last month, seasonally adjusted, on top of a 1.8 per cent rise in October, Statistics New Zealand reported.

Core sales, which exclude automotive fuel and vehicles, rose 0.3 per cent on top of a 2.6 per cent rise in October.

Spending on consumables, such as food and beverages, rose 1.4 per cent, offsetting declines in durable goods, apparel and fuel.

Compared with November 2012 core spending is up 5.9 per cent and total retail spending up 6.7 per cent.

ASB economist Daniel Smith said spending on consumables had grown only modestly over the past year or two, lagging behind more discretionary categories such as durables and hospitality.

"Stronger population growth may finally be starting to flow through into more spending on consumables."

He also cited an early start to Christmas festivities.