Bay retail spending growth tops the country

Hastings City Business Association general manager Susan McDade

Hawke's Bay has topped the country for increased November retail spending according to Paymark, which processes 75 per cent of electronic transactions.

The region's November spend - $139.4 million - was 11.8 per cent greater than for November 2015, ahead of Bay of Plenty on 9.8 per cent and Wairarapa on 9 per cent.
The national increase was 6.9 per cent.

Paymark said over the month of November the New Zealand accommodation sector surged 17.4 per cent suggestive of another strong year for the tourism sector, and 11 per cent in electrical and electronic spending.

"Both sectors were very strong in Hawke's Bay [up 26.5 per cent and 20.4 per cent respectively] during the month, contributing to this region recording the fastest annual underlying growth rate."

The November figures bode well for the region, especially so because November last year was very good one for retailers, coming out of a tough winner.

Napier City Business Inc. manager Zoe Barnes said 2015 was "the busiest November in years" and there were was "a tremendous amount of tourists in town".

Hastings City Business Association general manager Susan McDade said three years ago it took her two hours to make deliveries to retailers in just one block "because everyone had a complaint".

Now they were too busy to chat.

"They're like, 'things are great but I can't talk now'.

"It feels good."

She said the growth in large-format retailing in Hastings, the latest being Bunnings Warehouse's new Hastings store, would further establish the city as a region-wide retail destination.

The number of November transactions in Hawke's Bay increased 15 per cent, ahead of Gisborne on 11.8 per cent and Bay of Plenty on 11.4 per cent, according to Paymark, with the national increase 8.6 per cent.

The report said the earthquake of November 14 caused a drop in the day's takings in most regions, with spending 3 per cent or $4.2 million below the level of the previous Monday.

The following day saw an annual growth rate increase and two days later a return to the longer-term trend.