NZ credit, debit card spending rises in December on higher fuel costs

NZ credit, debit card spending rises in December on higher fuel costs
Sophie Boot
By Sophie Boot Jan. 16 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand retail spending on electronic cards gained in December for the fourth month in a row, driven by higher fuel prices. Seasonally adjusted total retail spending on credit and debit cards - including vehicle-related spending - increased 0.5 percent in December,  boosted by a 4 percent rise in fuel spending to $618 million, Statistics New Zealand said in a statement. Core retail spending, excluding fuel and vehicles, was down 0.2 percent in December, after three consecutive monthly rises. ...