-
Source: ONE News -
Watch Video
A difficult trading year for New Zealand's retailers looks set to finish on a high as the latest figures show that after a slow start shoppers are finally in the mood for a spot of Christmas shopping.
The latest Eftpos transaction figures show retail spending for December is up 5% on last year which is good news for a depressed retail sector.
However, shop manager Kate Morton says the mall definitely isn't as busy as usual.
"We're finding it a lot harder to convince customers simply just to try something on," Morton says.
Customers are also spending with care.
It is a lesson the Council of Trade Unions (CTU) claims many wage earners took on board during the recent recession.
"They're probably middle income families who've kept two incomes coming in. They haven't' spent up much during the year and now they're having a bit of a splash," says Peter Conway, secretary of the CTU.
And with credit card use down, it is spending that stands to benefit the wider economy.
"The more people spend, the more the money goes round. And if it's spending on New Zealand made items and income is going back to other New Zealanders even better," says Conway.
