Retailers are "over the moon" at record Boxing Day sales on Thursday.

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.

Amidst a tough retail environment, Kathmandu chief executive Peter Halkett has led the company through a solid year of growth.

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.

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

Warehouse Group, the country's biggest listed retailer, expects lower first-half earnings as margins at its flagship Red Sheds come under pressure and it spends more on adjusting to a new competitive environment.

Kathmandu, the outdoor clothing retailer, says sales rose 0.9 per cent in the first 16 weeks of the year.

NZ retail sales grew less than economists were picking in the September quarter, as growth in car sales was offset by weak consumer core sector spending.