Statistics New Zealand figures out yesterday showed retailers having a quieter spending in the three months ending September after a buoyant June period.
The June quarter was boosted by hospitality industry lifts, particularly from the World Masters Games and the British and Irish Lions tour, Statistics NZ retail trade manager Sue Chapman said.
The reverse occurred in September where both of those industries experienced falling sales.
Mr McGowan was in Cromwell yesterday talking to business owners who said they were doing well and sales were growing. Like other parts of Central Otago, sales were being driven by population growth and increased tourism.
The traditional shoulder seasons were becoming much shorter, he said.
In Dunedin, retail sales had ''stood up well'' compared with other areas. Dunedin had hosted several special events and more were coming. That was helping smooth the traditional highs and lows of retail spending.
Also, retailers had become smarter in the way they attracted customers, Mr McGowan said.
A combination of traditional bricks and mortar retailing and online sales was driving extra business.
Some retailers were also redefining their client base, actively engaging with shoppers rather than passively waiting for them to walk through the door.
Asked whether the new cruise ship season would help retailers, Mr McGowan said there was no doubt the hospitality industry felt the benefits of people having coffee, meals or drinks.
He was unsure how much extra money the ships brought in for the more traditional retailers, ''but it all helps''.
ASB senior economist Mark Smith said annual retail spending growth was expected to continue to moderate over the remainder of the year, given the sluggish housing market and easing consumer confidence.
''We expect annual retail sales volumes to slow towards 3% by the end of the year. Solid rates of retail spending are consistent with the official cash rate remaining on hold for a considerable period.''
