Boxing Day tills ring out in Wairarapa

A record Boxing Day has helped provide many retailers with an additional boost with $151.7 million spent across the country -- an 11.2 per cent increase in spending year on year through the Paymark network.

In Wairarapa, $1.2 million was spent on Boxing Day, a 4.8 per cent increase on last year's spending in the region.

Paymark CEO Mark Rushworth said, while Christmas Eve is always the biggest day of the year, Boxing Day gave the retailers an extra boost this year.

"Boxing Day sales have traditionally been strong and we've seen an increase in spending among cafes and restaurants.

"Liquor merchants and speciality food outlets have had a strong Boxing Day, in particular, with an increase of 37.7 per cent and 18.3 per cent respectively over last year."

The spending spree on Boxing Day was particularly strong in the regions with the Bay of Plenty, Otago, and Hawke's Bay all recording strong annual growth. Nelson was the highest growth area with a whopping 17.5 per cent increase over last year.

Final data for Christmas Eve shows a very strong year with $272.6 million spent on what is traditionally the busiest shopping day of the year.

On Christmas Eve 2014, $263.5 million was processed via the Paymark network.