Auckland retail card spending bounces back in Step Two

Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) card spending data released today shows one week of retail therapy at Alert Level 3 Step 2 has been enough to raise card spending in Auckland to levels greater than before the Delta lockdown.

Data released today is for the week ending Tuesday the 16th of November, which captures one week for Auckland at the new alert level step change.

BNZ Chief Economist, Paul Conway, says, “Card spending in Auckland is up 27 per cent on the previous week, which brings it seven per cent higher than pre delta levels.

“Retailers had been waiting a long time for the freedoms that Alert Level 3 Step 2 brought, and Aucklanders dusted off their wallets and didn’t disappoint.

Auckland Card Spending (indexed)

The previous trading restrictions in the delta lockdown in Auckland were particularly tough on those businesses who couldn’t provide contactless service, or where it wasn’t profitable.

“Compared to the previous week, Department Stores, Clothing and Furniture have all increased sales this last week by more than 100 per cent.

“It’s great to see this bounce, and we will continue to monitor the situation to see how the run up to Christmas is affected by the new traffic light system.