Electronic card transactions up

The value of all electronic card transactions increased by a seasonally adjusted 1.2 per cent in May from April, Statistics New Zealand said yesterday.

The main contributors to the increase were the vehicle-related and consumables industries.

There were also significant increases in the value of transactions for the durables and hospitality industries.

The trend for the retail electronic card transactions series was 6.0 per cent higher in May 2008 compared with May 2007 - the smallest since the series began in October 2002.

The apparel, durables and services industries have contributed noticeably to an easing of the trend in recent months, SNZ said.

- NZPA