Hawke's Bay remains on top for retail spending growth

CASHED UP: Hawke's Bay again leads the country for increased retail spending. PHOTO/FILE

Hawke's Bay continues to lead the country for growth in retail spending.

Paymark, which processes 75 per cent of electronic transactions, says December figures show that, until the 21st, Hawke's Bay spending was 11.1 per cent up on the same period last year to $118.7 million.

The New Zealand increase was 7 per cent.

Hawke's Bay was ahead of Bay of Plenty on 10.7 per cent and West Coast on 10.3 per cent growth.

Hawke's Bay was also ahead of the rest of New Zealand for the first 14 days of December for increased spending, up 10.4 per cent on the same period in 2015.

The region also topped the country for increased retail spending in November, when the $139.4 million spend 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.

Hastings City Business Association general manager Susan McDade said the figures matched retailers' anecdotes of "excellent" trading.

It hasn't always been Hawke's Bay in the lead this month. For the week to December 21 Hawke's Bay's 12.4 per cent growth was just the third-highest figure for retail growth behind Otago with 12.7 per cent and Bay of Plenty with 12.6 per cent.

Earlier Paymark figures showed poor spending growth in Gisborne, following a days-long power cut after a fatal plane crash into a pylon, and in Marlborough due to the South Island earthquake. Paymark's figures include Kaikoura, which still has access roads closed by landslides.

Gisborne has recovered, with a growth of 10.6 per cent for December 15 to December 21, but Marlborough has not, recording the lowest growth in the country at 4.2 per cent.

Paymark said figures this month indicated an early shift to holiday destinations.

Retail sectors experiencing strong spending growth included accommodation, liquor stores and auto repairs.