December saw Kiwis buying less at the shops for their houses after a big spend up during November's Black Friday and Singles' Day promotions.
The latest figures from Stats NZ show sales for "long-lasting goods" like furniture and appliances retreated in December 2019, after a "very strong" November. Spending also fell in four of the six retail industries.
Adjusted for seasonal effects, the data shows retail spending fell 0.8 per cent in the December 2019 month, after a strong 2.9 per cent rise in the November 2019 month.
Stats NZ said sales were boosted in November because of Black Friday and Singles’ Day promotions.
The largest fall came from sales of furniture, hardware, appliances, and sports and recreational goods (durables) – down $37 million (2.5 per cent).
“The dip in durables comes on the back of a very strong November month,” retail statistics manager Sue Chapman said.
Fuel industry sales were down $7.4 million (1.3 per cent). Sales of clothes and shoes were also lower, down $6.1 million (1.9 per cent).
But spending on food and beverage services and accommodation were up 0.4 per cent, and sales of groceries and alcohol were up 0.2 per cent.
"While November is becoming more important for retailers with Singles’ Day and Black Friday sales, December is still the king,’’ Ms Chapman said.
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