NZ Online Retail Sales - Monthly update for December 2015

NZ Online Retail Sales - Monthly update for December 2015

HIGHLIGHTS
· Total online retail spending in December was up 13% compared to the same month a year ago. There were solid performances by both local and overseas merchants, which were up on the previous December by 12% and 15% respectively.

· The 12% growth in online purchases from local merchants outpaced the annual growth in December spending at physical stores, which was around 4% (based on Statistics New Zealand figures for electronic card transactions, for “core retail” industries excluding hospitality).

· Online spending at local merchants in some of the major Food categories was up on last December’s level by well over 20% (Christmas feasting anyone?). Other categories showing strong growth at domestic retailers were Sport and Camping Equipment, Entertainment Media, Department Stores, and Newspapers and Books. The growth in purchases from offshore sites was particularly strong for Computer Stores and Entertainment Media, which were both up by more than 40% compared to the same month a year earlier.

· Clothing continues to be a significant online item. Sales in this category were up 17% on the prior December.

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