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 Zealand consumers are feeling the heat of global economic conditions, with optimism falling for a fourth month in the lead-up to the important Xmas shopping period.

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.