When adjusted for seasonal effects, New Zealanders spent $77 million (0.9 percent) more in July 2021 using their credit and debit cards, compared with June 2021, Stats NZ said today.
This increase in card spending in July was driven by the non-retail industry: up $43 million (2.4 percent). This category includes medical and other health care, travel and tour arrangement, postal and courier delivery, and other non-retail industries.
Total electronic card spending was $8,528 million in July 2021, with the retail industry accounting for almost three-quarters of this. Spending over the month was up across all spending categories except services, which saw a drop of $2 million (0.5 percent).
Retail card spending was up $39 million (0.6 percent), driven by consumables, which was up $15 million (0.7 percent). Consumables includes spending on groceries, liquor, and specialised food.
| Industry (ANZSIC06) | Percentage change |
| Consumables | 0.7 |
| Durables | 0.3 |
| Apparel | 3.6 |
| Motor vehicles excl. fuel | 0.6 |
| Fuel | 0.9 |
| Non-retail excl. services | 2.4 |
| Services | -0.5 |
"Over the last few months, people used their cards to stock their pantries. However, this month, they extended their wardrobes as well," business performance manager Ricky Ho said.
Apparel (clothing, shoes, jewellery, and watches) had the largest percentage increase from last month, up 3.6 percent ($12 million).
"We usually see more clothing being purchased around July, but the increase seen this month comes on the back of a drop in spending last month," Mr Ho said.
In actual terms, card spending on apparel was up $3 million (0.8 percent) from the same time last year.
Values are only available at the national level and are not adjusted for price changes.
