Is big Christmas spending a last hurrah?

Is big Christmas spending a last hurrah?
Pre-Christmas spending has recovered from covid. (Image: Unsplash)
Rebecca Howard
Consumer spending levels point to a last hurrah before Christmas, despite the Reserve Bank governor’s bah humbug! moment. The latest data from Worldline NZ’s payments network show consumers forked over $881 million in the week to Dec 17, excluding hospitality. That was up 1.9% on the year and 14.6% higher than the same week in 2019. Worldline NZ’s chief sales officer Bruce Proffit said subsequent data suggests spending will go even higher this week, with spending on the Sunday before Christmas already up 12.1% on the...

More Retail

Forsyth Barr sees future upside in Briscoe initiatives
Retail

Forsyth Barr sees future upside in Briscoe initiatives

Management gave details on the company's roadmap for growth at the AGM on Thursday.

Gregor Thompson 16 May 2025
Warehouse CEO ‘very soon’ as firm orbits sun without one
Retail

Warehouse CEO ‘very soon’ as firm orbits sun without one

Group chair Joan Withers is making sure she gets this one right.

Gregor Thompson 16 May 2025
Briscoe Group has plans for smaller ‘Metro stores’
Retail

Briscoe Group has plans for smaller ‘Metro stores’

There could be an opportunity for up to 15 new stores, COO Andrew Scott says.

Gregor Thompson 15 May 2025
IKEA continues NZ land purchases
Retail

IKEA continues NZ land purchases

IKEA owns about 27,000 hectares of forestry land, valued at nearly $370m.

John Anthony 12 May 2025