Wallets out during long, hot summer
Shops had to shut for much of Easter weekend but the long weekend may have boosted spending on food and alcohol this year.
In the first three months of 2018, Kiwis bought nearly $5.9 billion worth of groceries, including alcohol, Statistics New Zealand card spending figures revealed.
That is $339 million, or 6.6 per cent, more than the seasonally adjusted amount spent over that time last year.
Statistics NZ retail manager Sue Chapman said it was the largest spending increase for the consumables category since 2010.
We are not just spending more at the supermarket – spending was also up on last year at bars, cafes and restaurants.
New Zealanders spent $87m more at hospitality outlets in the first three months of this year than during last year’s ‘‘silly season’’, the last three months of 2017.
Hospitality New Zealand spokeswoman Rachel Shadbolt said the extra spending in the industry was not a surprise. A long, hot summer had served hospitality well, she said. ‘‘The sunshine really brings people out.’’
Numerous concerts in cities this year had boosted spending too. ‘‘Ed Sheeran has a lot to answer for.’’
The spending hikes were probably due to an influx of visitors in January and February, Chapman said.
Shadbolt agreed. ‘‘This isn’t just our domestic market eating out. International visitors have to be caffeinated and fed, too.’’
Fuel spending was up more than $80m in the first three months of 2018 than in the last three months of 2017.
Spending on durables, such as furniture and appliances, increased more than $50m across the same time period.
Apparel purchases increased the least, up less than $5m between quarters.