AirlinesCheaper travel contributes to lower CPIIntense competition and more airline services have led to sharp falls in prices that are now being reflected in the latest consumer price index.28 Apr 05:00 PM
LifestylePaint job is always a winnerIn the booming Auckland property market, most money put into renovations will add to a house's value. But spend well and you could get up to $4 back for every $1 spent.25 Apr 05:00 PM
EconomyTobacco tax edges out deflationWere it not for the annual increase in the tax on tobacco the consumers price index would have recorded outright deflation for the year to March.20 Apr 05:00 PM
New ZealandUpmarket stores sold alcohol to minorsThe two branches of upmarket supermarket chain Farro Fresh that had their liquor licences suspended had sold alcohol to minors.14 Apr 05:00 PM
BDBDBusinessConsumers happier with gas station competitionPetrol stations have taken a big jump up in consumers' esteem in the past year.13 Apr 11:00 PM
Banking and financeConsumers flash cards as spending risesFor the March quarter as a whole core retail sales paid for by credit, debit or charge cards were up 2.7 per cent - the fastest quarterly growth since December 2006.13 Apr 05:00 PM
RetailFarro stores cop alcohol banGrey Lynn and Mt Wellington residents will have to cope with buying their posh nosh separately from their booze this week if they plan to shop at Farro Fresh.13 Apr 05:00 PM
RetailNew rules for natural healthClaims made about the benefits of natural health products such as vitamins will need to be backed by evidence under a new system.12 Apr 05:00 PM
New ZealandUnhappy hour for bar tab dealA controversial loyalty card that offers to pay a chunk of a student's bar tab off their student loan has been launched.11 Apr 05:00 PM
Personal FinanceCredit card offers don't add upDon't be sucked in by tempting rewards schemes when you're shopping for a credit card, says Consumer New Zealand.11 Apr 05:00 PM
RetailOnline toy retailer inquiry continuesThe Commerce Commission's inquiry into an online toy and baby products retailer - accused of taking customers' money and failing to deliver - continues.07 Apr 06:11 AM
LifestyleEnergy drinks carry heart risk: studyAn international study suggests energy drinks can trigger heart attacks in young, healthy consumers, and scientists are warning parents.06 Apr 05:00 PM
Freight and logisticsApp rates rivals for your cab cashA new website allows consumers to predict the cost of a taxi fare, accurate to within about $4.05 Apr 05:00 PM
New ZealandGen Y ruin more clothesGeneration Y ruin more clothing than their parents and are more likely to use a dirty washing machine, a survey published today shows.02 Apr 04:00 PM
Banking and financeNZ banks outscore Oz in surveyKiwi-owned banks are well ahead of their Aussie counterparts, according to a new customer satisfaction survey - and their bosses say they're not surprised.30 Mar 04:00 PM
OpinionGary Mortimer: The next food trend - Inglorious baskets of knobbly fruit and vegConsumer-driven food trends are nothing new. "Organics", gluten-free and others have all captured consumers, encouraging supermarkets around the globe to respond.28 Mar 04:00 PM
New ZealandAll is fair in love and nappy warPrices of nappies have fallen so sharply that one retailer estimates combined discounts from its stores alone will top $1m over the next year.28 Mar 04:00 PM
Banking and financeConsumers buoyant after fuel, rate dropConsumer confidence has strengthened over the past three months, the Westpac McDermott Miller survey found, thanks to a rebound in rural New Zealand.23 Mar 04:00 PM
TaxExpert says taxing online buys hardLowering the threshold is easy but tax take for small items may not to be worth it.20 Mar 04:00 PM
OpinionSam Judd: 'My most hated products are coffee pods'Coffee pods use already-ground coffee, meaning that it is not as fresh, writes Sam Judd. They are also an environmental disaster.18 Mar 09:45 PM
RetailOnline toy retailer investigatedAn Auckland-based online toy seller is being investigated by the Commerce Commission after failing to deliver orders to customers on both sides of the Tasman.18 Mar 04:00 PM
OpinionEditorial: No easy way to tax goods bought onlineEditorial: Any government is well aware there will be no applause from the many people forced to pay another 15 per cent for their online purchases.17 Mar 04:00 PM
CommoditiesOil prices resume slideThe price of oil is tumbling again, rattling an already-shaken oil industry and heralding lower prices for consumers.15 Mar 04:00 PM
New ZealandCar mods can ruin insurance payoutTinted windows are becoming a fashion accessory for Kiwi motorists - but installing them can put owners at risk of a failed insurance claim.14 Mar 04:00 PM
New ZealandWarehouse sold me expired formulaAn Auckland mother whose baby drank expired infant formula has lashed out at the Warehouse for stocking the out-of-date product.13 Mar 04:00 PM
Banking and financeConsumers boost spending and savingRetailers are continuing to benefit from the boost to consumers' discretionary incomes from the fall in oil prices over the past year.10 Mar 04:00 PM
ManufacturingBaby formula: Mums on warpathSix complaints have been made to the Commerce Commission since its preliminary decision to allow infant formula companies to restrict their advertising.09 Mar 04:00 PM
New ZealandLower power prices on offerWellington company Flick describes itself as "the first retailer to give NZers access to the wholesale price of power direct from the market the big guys buy electricity from".07 Mar 04:00 PM
LifestyleFast food foils calorie-countersA low-calorie diet isn't necessarily a healthy and balanced diet.27 Feb 04:00 PM
Banking and financeBanks issue caution over online fraudInternet banking customers using a popular online payment system are being warned by banks that they might not be covered if fraud occurs.15 Feb 04:00 PM
RetailLower petrol prices offset spending in JanuaryRetail spending charged to electronic cards fell 0.4 per cent last month, its third monthly decline in a row, as lower prices at the pump offset increased spending elsewhere.11 Feb 04:00 PM
BusinessRivals pitch size v price in battle for Kiwi sweet toothA big spike in the cost of raw materials has put pressure on chocolate makers - as Cadbury was quick to point out when it announced plans this week to reduce block sizes by 10 per cent.06 Feb 03:00 PM
BusinessChocolate wars: Whittaker's stands firmChocolate company Whittaker's say they won't be following Cadbury and reducing the size of their bars.03 Feb 02:18 AM
