Spending using electronic cards was $5.1billion in January, up $270million, or 5.6%, on January last year and the largest percentage increase in 10 years.
All six retail industries had increases but the lift followed flat results in both December and November. October sales were up only 0.5%.
In January, the largest increase was from the durables industry, up $37million, or 3.1%. The durables industry includes furniture, hardware and appliance retailing.
``The lift in retail card spending in January was across the board, from food and liquor to clothing, petrol, and cards, as well as a bounce back for furniture, hardware and appliances,'' Statistics NZ business indicators senior manager Neil Kelly said.
Figures released yesterday were only for sales at a national level and it was not possible to draw any conclusions about the possible regional impact of the November 14 earthquake in Kaikoura, he said.
Otago Chamber of Commerce chief executive Dougal McGowan believed much of the increase in durables spending was due to the continuing low interest rate environment.
As people started to notice interest rates rising, they were buying in advance while they could.
Also, a growth in employment or in the number of hours worked by part-time workers meant people had more money to spend.
``There will be a boost in Dunedin food and beverage sales but I don't think we have seen the benefit from cruise ships some expected.
``People are being trapped up around the Octagon, we heard from our retail committee last week.''
More work needed to be done to increase the foot traffic from cruise ship passengers north along George St, Mr McGowan said.
ASB chief economist Nick Tuffley said there was a possibility the growth in sales could have been driven by discounting, although price data was not available for the electronic card transactions release for confirmation.
Durables might have also been lifted as new buildings were fitted out and consumers might have been waiting for the sales to arrive.
For Mr Tuffley, apparel sales were perhaps the main surprise, marking growth of 2.5% month-on-month and following December's 1.5% lift.
``Again, discounting may have been at play while the relatively wet and windy weather could have encouraged some additional spending.''
Consumables spending also increased, making up for lost ground in December, he said.
The tourism boom showed little signs of slowing. Hospitality spending rose 1.7% month-on-month to take the index to another high. The lift came despite fallout from the November earthquake which, at this stage, looked to have displaced activity rather than encouraged it.
Growth in fuels spending expanded in line with increased fuel costs, he said.
