The New Zealand economy expanded at the fastest pace since 2009 in the third quarter, beating estimates, as manufacturers cranked up production, making up for a contraction in the construction industry.

New electronic spending stats show a healthy 4.7 per cent rise in retail spending across New Zealand in the first 20 days of December when compared to last year.

Consumer confidence in New Zealand tumbled in the fourth quarter to the lowest level since the depths of recession in 2009.

Financial pressures are causing shoppers more stress this Christmas compared with last year, but crowded shopping malls are a greater cause for concern, a survey says.

New Zealanders wound back spending on credit and debit cards in November as the hangover from the Rugby World Cup spending binge set in a month before Christmas.

Ever spent more at the shops than you really wanted to? Of course you have, but it might not be all your fault. Greg Dixon examines the subtle ways the giant shopping centres, retailers and even our brains persuade us to spend more than we mean to.

Experts are predicting paper receipts will be phased out and replaced with emails in the years to come.