New Zealanders online spending at overseas retailers is powering ahead with 42 per cent of Kiwis' online retail purchases now coming from international merchants, according to new research.
The BNZ Online Retail Sales Index, found that international online purchases continues to grow at a faster rate than online purchases from domestic retailers.
Domestically, New Zealanders spent six per cent more in February than the same month last year, but international retailers enjoyed a 21 per cent jump in spending by kiwis during the same period.
And as online spending increases in New Zealand, offshore merchants are quickly capturing more of that spend. Four years ago, international retailers accounted 33 per cent of the online spend, now it's 42 per cent.
Domestic online sales of clothing, liquor and electrical appliances were all softer than in February last year. However online supermarket and specialised food purchases continues to grow, as well as domestic sales of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
