Lucky pets as owners spend up

Ardie Drummond from Wonderworld Aquarium and Pet Centre shows off the pet booster seat, a hot item for pet lovers keen to prevent animal car sickness. Photo/Stephen Parker

Rotorua residents splashed out on toys for their pets ahead of Christmas in one of retail's most lucrative months since the recession.

Bay of Plenty shoppers spent more than $336 million in December, up 7.5 per cent on the same period last year, new Paymark figures show.

The December surge capped the fastest year of spending growth since the recession, with $49.3 billion in transactions made nationally during 2013, up 0.2 per cent on the previous year.

Pet stores recorded some of the month's highest growth.

Wonderworld Aquarium and Pet Centre owner Ardie Drummond said while rabbits, birds and fish were the most popular animals for December shoppers, there was also a surge in toys for pets.

Canine treats and dog beds were also popular buys for doting animal lovers wanting to treat their pets at Christmas.

Other items bought by animal lovers included pet booster car seats - they're strapped in for safety and help prevent car sickness as the animal sits higher and has a better view out the car window, remote controlled vibrating feeding dishes which make make dead insects look live and heated rocks for reptiles.

Mr Drummond said in general sales had picked up through the course of the year as the economy improved. "I feel as if it's picking up. You can feel it and you can see it."

If a customer said the pet was to be a gift, staff took time to make sure the animals wouldn't be returned a week later.

"We like to make sure that people actually want them. We have a bit more respect for our little animals."

The lead-up to Christmas also saw demand for more exotic animals like African Grey Parrots and a new breed of Ridgeback dog costing about $3000 each. But these requests were referred to specialist breeders.

Paymark head of sales and marketing Paul Whiston said Christmas Eve and Boxing Day saw "record-smashing" spending during December, with Kiwis spending close to $5.1 billion.

December spending increased 1.7 per cent from November and 7.5 per cent since December 2012 - closing the fastest year of growth since 2008.

"A lot of sectors have showed some strong spending patterns through the month of December and many retailers will be very pleased with the results."

Pet stores recorded some of the month's highest growth (9.2 per cent) along with sporting and camping equipment retailers (9.3 per cent) and furniture stores (11.5 per cent).

The hospitality sector enjoyed a 9.5 per cent spike in spending as Kiwis and tourists headed out with family and friends to celebrate the end of the year, Paymark said.

Gisborne led spending growth in the regions with a 9.9 per cent increase, followed by Marlborough (9.4 per cent) and Palmerston North (9 per cent).

"For the first time since the 2008 global financial crisis we're seeing a significant increase in spending which should bring optimism for most Kiwi retailers, and hopefully we see this momentum continue."