Consumers may emerge with curtailed spending habits

Consumers may emerge with curtailed spending habits
Dan Brunskill
Spending has lifted significantly as New Zealand has emerged from national lockdown but an Otago University professor warns any splurge won’t last.Consumer behaviour researcher Leah Watkins, an associate professor in the marketing department of the university's school of business, said increased activity during the first days of reopening would probably be shortlived as the lockdown had inspired people to tighten their belts.People would have assessed what their finances looked like when discretionary spending was saved, and that...

More Retail

Massive Pōrangahau fire largely contained after spreading to pines planned for Ikea furniture
Retail

Massive Pōrangahau fire largely contained after spreading to pines planned for Ikea furniture

A 245-hectare fire burning its way through forest near Pōrangahau, Central Hawke’s Bay, is likely to continue to cause firefighters headaches over the next week. Ingka Investments Management New Zealand operations manager Dylan Foster said roughly 80 hectares of their 550-hectare...

Staff reporters 22 Oct 2025
You can make ChatGPT your personal shopper
Retail

You can make ChatGPT your personal shopper

While you’ll need to fact-check the chatbot, it’s useful for comparing prices.

Macpac NZ profits drop 71% as softer sales hit margins
Retail

Macpac NZ profits drop 71% as softer sales hit margins

The sales drop in New Zealand was larger than Kathmandu's.

Gregor Thompson 17 Oct 2025
E-commerce deal website GrabOne ceases trading
Retail

E-commerce deal website GrabOne ceases trading

E-commerce deal website GrabOne has ceased trading after its owner went into liquidation on Thursday.Daniel Stoneman and Neale Jackson of Calibre Partners were appointed liquidators of Global Marketplace New Zealand Limited, which operates the GrabOne business in NZ.GrabOne’s web...

Staff reporters 16 Oct 2025