Christmas spending up as Kiwis hit the shops

Photo / Natalie Slade.

Kiwis have spent a total of $2.3 billion through Paymark so far this month, with Christmas spending up 4.3 per cent compared to the same time last year.

In 2013, $2.2 billion was spent during the same period, according to the electronic transaction provider.

The company also reported 46.7 million transactions had been processed since December 1, compared to 43.9 million over the same period in 2013.

In the Auckland and Northland region, spending was up 5 per cent in December compared with the same time last year, to $948.5 million.

Transaction volumes in the area were up 7.8 per cent from 17.27 million last year to 18.62 million this year.

In the Waikato, transaction volumes rose 7.2 per cent to 3.48 million, with a total December spend of $165.3 million, up 3.6 per cent compared to last year's $159.5 million.

Wellingtonians have spent $221.4 million so far this month, up only 1.4 per cent on the previous December, with 4.97 million transactions -- up 2.9 per cent.

In Canterbury, spending was up 3.2 per cent to $268.8 million compared with the same period last year, with 5.31 million, transactions.

Taranaki, West Coast, Southland and South Canterbury all showed a decrease in spending compared with December 2013.

Paymark's head of sales and marketing Paul Whiston said that overall, December spending within the entertainment and hospitality sector, which included accommodation, cafes and bars, was up 9 per cent compared with this time last year.

Spending at supermarkets was up 7.9 per cent from 2013 and spending on books and video was up 6 per cent.

Mr Whiston said the figures were steady, with two big spending weekends yet to come.

"We know from MetService figures that it's been the coldest start to summer since 2006, which may influence shopping behaviour.

"Additionally, an increasing number of retailers are starting their Boxing Day sales before Christmas. This may result in an increase in the number transactions we're processing but the value may be slightly lower." Paymark processes more than 75 per cent of all electronic transactions in the New Zealand retail market.