Shops cranking up for last-minute rush

In December's first two weeks shoppers spent $2.3 billion through Paymark electronic transactions. Photo / Dean Purcell

Selfie sticks and remote-controlled helicopters are among some of the more popular items among Kiwis buying Christmas gifts this month.

And in the first two weeks of December, shoppers have spent $2.3 billion through electronic transaction provider Paymark - 4.3 per cent more than for the same time last year.

But with a steady start to the month, some retailers still expect a last-minute Christmas rush.

A spokesman for electronics retailer Noel Leeming said the business had seen a "step up" at the weekend, with a steady flow of customers.

But executive general manager of merchandise Jason Bell said that because Christmas Day fell on a Thursday, the company expected some to leave their shopping to the first three days of next week.

Popular Christmas gifts included wearable technology such as the Fit Bit - a fitness device that synchronises with a computer or smartphone and tracks the user's steps, distance and calories burned.

Other popular items included Go Pro cameras, high-end smartphones and headphones, tablets and remote-controlled toys such as helicopters and cars, Mr Bell said.

Meanwhile, online retailer Trade Me predicted its busiest day of the year would have been Sunday, December 7.

Spokesman Paul Ford said last year's biggest day was Sunday, December 8, with nearly 40,000 members making more than 50,000 purchases.

"That lines up with the traditional high-tide mark - a couple of weeks before Christmas, but still with enough time up sleeves to ensure the item arrives in time to get it under the Christmas tree."

Mr Ford said listings on the site peaked at 529,000 on December 2. Last year's peak, on November 26, was just under 500,000 items.

He said areas on the site going strong this year included mobile phone accessories, particularly selfie sticks, and gaming - especially PlayStation games and consoles.

Crafts were doing well, too, he said.

Farmers managing director and chief executive officer Rod McDermott said the department store was starting to get "busy and hectic".

"Sales over last weekend were very strong and well up on last year."

Westfield spokeswoman Deb McGhie said the weekend had been busy across the company's malls in New Zealand, as people were realising not much time was left.

Popular Christmas gifts

Trade Me
• Selfie Sticks
• Minecraft clothes, toys and towels
• Lego Star Wars advent calendars
• Table tennis tables
• Metal detectors for kids
• Candle making kits

Noel Leeming
• Fit Bit
• Go Pro
• iPhones
• Remote controlled helicopters
• Headphones

Not so popular
Trade Me estimates two-thirds of people will receive at least one gift that they don't want to keep this year. Here are some items most likely to emerge as unwanted gifts:
• Perfume
• Socks
• Soap sets
• Household gadgets
• Fitness equipment
• Power tools
• Jewellery
• House plants
• Tech-related accessories.