13 January 2026

The Worldline data for core retail spending in December 2025 shows an overall drop of 0.2%, with Boxing Day sales showing a whopping -12.4% for the month compared to December 2024.  This overall decrease is despite an increase of 4.4% in food and liquor over the month, which, in part, will have been driven partly by inflationary prices compared to 12 months earlier.

“This data just shows how tough the trading environment continues to be for retail. Since 1 January we have seen two significant potential liquidation announcements from EB Games and Acecco Supermarkets, with just over 60 stores across the two businesses. The retail sector has been under significant strain over the last 2 – 3 years, 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 for businesses to remain open. We will be hoping for a brighter economy and positive consumer confidence in 2026. We know that unemployment continues to be an issue, especially for young people looking for seasonal work or having just completed their qualifications” says Carolyn Young, Chief Executive at Retail NZ.

With discretionary spending down, it reinforces that consumer confidence is not yet back to where it needs to be, with consumers concerned about job security and the overall economic environment, it continues to dampen retail spend.

View the latest Retail NZ Media Releases