Christmas spend on the rise despite quake activity

Not all retail staff have the power to negotiate prices. Photo / Getty.

New Zealanders are hitting the shops in the lead up to Christmas with spending up on the same time last year, dented slightly by the recent earthquakes.

The latest data released from electronic payments company Paymark showed total spending for the last week of November was up just 1.1 per cent, or $3.1 million, on the previous year.

Spending in the Marlborough, Kaikoura region and Wellington were down significantly however, affecting total spend for the country.

"The earthquake of Monday 14 November caused a drop in spending on the day in most New Zealand regions," the company said.

"Underlying spending through the Paymark network was 3 per cent or $4.2 million below the level of the previous Monday."

"Otherwise the interest in retail markets was the start of the busy pre-Christmas period," it said.

"Underlying spending was highest for the month on Friday 25 November but the growth rate on the day was in keeping with other days that week, indicating a steady rise in Christmas spending in New Zealand rather than the frenzied Thanksgiving long weekend in the US."

Spending for the week in the Marlborough Kaikoura region was down 14 per cent, with Wellington down 12.1 per cent.

Total spend for the month of November was up 6.9 per cent or $5.03 billion with the highest annual growth seen in Hawke's Bay - up 11.8 per cent.

Marlborough recorded the lowest annual growth for the month, up just 1.3 per cent on the previous year.

According to Paymark, spending resumed a normal pattern by the Wednesday after the quake, although this took longer in sectors such as accommodation in the region.

Overall the Accommodation sector showed significant growth for the month, with spending up 17.4 per cent suggesting another strong tourism season. Electrical and electronics spend was also up 11 per cent.

"Over the last full week of November, the underlying annual spending growth was solid if unspectacular at 5.1 per cent," Paymark said.

"Accommodation and liquor retail merchants recorded the fastest annual growth during the week."

"Combined, the earthquake and start to Christmas spending added up to underlying growth between October and November of 0.2 per cent when seasonally adjusted," it said.

"The annual underlying growth rate for the month remains high at 6.9 per cent."

Total card transaction spend has continued to increase year-on-year since 2013.