Budget retailer the Warehouse is warning its first-half profit will fall by as much as 13 percent after strong Christmas sales failed to compensate for a margin squeeze in the first quarter.

Shares in lightbulb maker Energy Mad surged after it announced it had begun selling its energy-efficient products online in the United States through internet retail giant Amazon.

Hallenstein Glasson Holdings, whose shares have shed 21 percent in the past 12 months, said first-half profit will fall about 39 percent,

The pay packets offered to retail workers jumped almost 10 per cent last year, according to a major jobs website, in another sign of improving fortune for the sector.

So-called "showrooming" and "click and collect" will be two major retail trends in 2014, according to an industry commentator.

Eftpos transactions reached record highs today as Kiwi shoppers, filled with "Christmas spirit'', packed out stores around the country.

Paymark figures show shoppers spending up large as malls brace for last-minute Christmas splurge.

Kiwis are going to have to swap their limes for lemons this summer if they want to avoid rising prices.

People will be heading for the great outdoors to try out their presents this Christmas, if Trade Me searches are any indication.

Our Kiwi retailers have been embracing digital change. This doesn't mean they're abandoning their High St stores.

Businesses are smiling, frazzled customers are queuing and there are still nine more days of shopping to go.

Baaa-humbug. A fall in lamb numbers because of the worst drought in 70 years may result in higher prices for this year's Christmas roast.

Retail spending went from strength to strengthen last month as the plastic got more of a workout.

In a UK first, shoppers in South Yorkshire are being offered food at up to 70 per cent of normal prices - but they have to prove they're on benefits to get the bargains.

New Zealanders have been spending up on food and liquor in the lead up to Christmas, according to Paymark, which says spending through its network during the first seven days of December was up almost nine per cent on the same week the year before.

Shoppers descended on malls all over the country yesterday as the Christmas rush began.

The company that runs Nando's NZ went into receivership to avoid its franchise agreement being terminated by the global spicy chicken chain's Australian arm.

Countdown has been ordered to withdraw advertisements for a "one-day sale'' that ran online for 21 hours over two days.

As the United States prepares for its annual Cyber Monday online shopping bonanza.

It varies, but for gift and homeware retailers and toy companies, it represents a substantial proportion of annual turnover.

Click Monday - the local version of the Northern Hemisphere's "Cyber Monday" - will begin at 7pm tonight and run for 24 hours.