Hospitality lifts card spending

New Zealand retail spending on electronic cards rose in October, boosted by the hospitality industry as people spent more eating out. Seasonally adjusted retail spending on credit and debit cards rose 0.3 per cent from September, when it also rose 0.3 per cent on the month, Statistics New Zealand said. Total spending, including nonretail industries, rose 0.4 per cent on the month after a flat result in September. “The latest increase in the hospitality industry reflected spending in bars, cafes and restaurants, and takeaway shops,” said Stats NZ retail manager Sue Chapman.