"We have noticed a real upswing, inquiry levels are up and people are feeling more positive," Mr Johnson said. "We're busier than we've ever been."
The financial crisis had people holding off spending on building and renovations, but optimism was now encouraging people to spend more on their homes.
"It could be that people heard that the sky's falling, and it hasn't so they're getting on with it," Mr Johnson said.
Mitre 10 general marketing manager Dave Elliott said business was strong throughout the country, including Wairarapa.
"People are improving and building homes again, and really undertaking upgrades and more major improvement than they have in the past," Mr Elliott said.
This was especially evident through renewed paint sales, which had fallen drastically in the recession.
Paymark head of sales and marketing Paul Whiston said spending in some sectors was thriving: "We've seen some sectors such as home decorating and hardware stores, and restaurants and cafes, thriving during the first half of this year."
House-related spending was up 9.1 per cent last month, with plumbing suppliers' business increasing 7 per cent and appliance retailers up 6 per cent.
Takeaway food outlets experienced one of the biggest rises at 9.3 per cent.
A shift towards internet sales had also seen monthly card transactions in June rise 4.8 per cent on a year ago.
The report found household sector spending was boosted by the Christchurch rebuild.
The region recorded a growth in spending of 8.1 per cent last month - almost double the national average.
But not all retailers were doing well, with bookshops and travel companies facing a drop in sales.
New Zealand Retailers' Association spokeswoman Louise Evans McDonald said more people were spending money on home renovations.
"Part of that is probably attributed to the fact that people are staying put in their homes and doing them up rather than moving to a new place," she said.
The rise in restaurant spending showed consumer confidence was on the mend, Ms Evans McDonald said.
