The value of overall credit card spending in New Zealand advanced a seasonally adjusted 0.4 percent on month in July, Statistics New Zealand said on Tuesday - following the 1.0 percent gain in June.
Retail credit card spending gained 0.3 percent on month - exceeding forecasts for 0.1 percent but down from 1.2 percent in the previous month.
Total retail spending using electronic cards was NZ$4.8 billion in July, up NZ$267 million (5.8 percent) from July 2015. The largest increase was in the hospitality industry, up NZ$139 million (18 percent), while the only decrease was in the fuel industry, down NZ$54 million (8.6 percent).
"People spent more on accommodation and on food and drinks in restaurants and takeaway shops," business indicators senior manager Neil Kelly said. "In contrast, they spent less on fuel, with petrol prices falling about 10 cents a litre in July."
The largest movements of the six retail industries in July were: hospitality, up NZ$26 million (2.9 percent on year); and fuel, down NZ$21 million (3.6 percent).
Transactions in the core retail industries (which exclude the vehicle-related industries) added 0.7 percent after jumping 1.1 percent a month earlier.
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