Kiwis flock to shops on Boxing Day, Paymark figures show

Thursday 27th December 2012

New Zealanders spent 13.4 percent more on Boxing Day than they did a year ago, the first double-digit growth in sales for five years, Paymark says.

There were more than 2 million transactions and sales rose by $14.2 million to $120 million, according to Paymark, which processes 75 percent of the nation's electronic transactions.

"The queues and traffic outside the malls around the country yesterday were anecdotal evidence of this," said Paymark head of sales and marketing Paul Whiston.

The traditional post-Christmas spend-up caps a relatively strong year for listed retailers on the NZX, which have gained 37 percent as a group, based on the NZSE Consumer Index. Sales over the Christmas-New Year season are critical for store owners in what is typically their busiest period.

The strongest Boxing Day sales growth was in Gisborne, up 23 percent to $1.3 million, followed by an 18 percent gain to $2.8 million for Taupo/Taranaki and an 18 percent rise to $3.5 million for Palmerston North.

Sales in Auckland/Northland rose about 14 percent to $49.5 million, Canterbury sales gained 13 percent to $12.1 million and Wellington sales rose 12 percent to $10.7 million.

Sales of electronic goods such as computers and phones rose 32 percent, clothing gained 21 percent and jewellery rose 24 percent, Paymark said.

Sales at department stores rose 22 percent.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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