Retail card spending figures for November 2025 show a 1.6% increase in total retail sales on a year on year basis, as Black Friday sales dominated the month.

Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn Young said this was “positive news and signs of green shoots across the broader sector as retailers head into their busiest time of year”.

The latest Electronic Card Transactions data from Statistics New Zealand showed total actual retail card spending in November increased by 1.6% year on year, while the seasonally adjusted numbers increased by 1.2%.

Last month the sector said it was “hanging in there” heading into the busy spending period at the end of the year, following a small uplift from October’s card spending figures.

“November really is the launch pad for the busy Christmas sales, so this increase sets up retail for a positive end to a really difficult trading year,” Young said.

She said sales in consumables had increased to 4.0%, durables up 0.8% and apparel up 0.7% compared to November 2024, which were “all good signs that we may be coming out the back of the recession”.

The Reserve Bank indicated at their November meeting that they felt we were at the end of the easing cycle and were expecting to see growth in 2026 and went as far as to tell consumers that they needed to get out and spend to support economic growth.

“So it seems that the potential relief ahead signalled by the Reserve Bank, may be here, but it will be important that November sales figures are a launch pad rather than a one-off sales period,” Young said.

“Our request to consumers this Christmas shopping period is to consider buying from retailers trading in New Zealand (whether online or in person) to ensure we support the New Zealand economy.”

She said buying local meant the money stays on-shore, which helps the economy and ensured consumers would continue to be protected by local legislation such as the Consumer Guarantees Act, Fair Trading Act and Health and Safety Standards.

“The retail sector has been under significant strain, with businesses advising that they have been absorbing as many cost increases as they can, working harder than ever as margins are being squeezed, which have created significant challenges to remain open.

“Hopefully these sales numbers are sign that we are turning the corner as retailers will be looking to 2026 as a year of recovery.”