The number of plastic bags used by NZ shoppers has been slashed by 157 million over five years - almost a quarter of the original total.

Appliance retailer Noel Leeming has reached an eleventh hour settlement with interests of its former owner Eric Watson over an unpaid debt.

Shoppers have to spend as much as $4750 to earn a $15 reward through New Zealand's biggest loyalty card scheme.

A ministerial review has recommended setting up a $5m fund to promote the benefits of switching power companies.

The story of how an established name reached the brink of extinction is not one of simple tough trading, or even of foolish management.