Kiwis spend $ 62 million on Boxing Day sales, less than in 2019

Kiwi bargain hunters squandered $ 62 million on Boxing Day, according to electronic trading company Paymark.

However, retail spending, excluding food, spirits and hospitality, fell 2.2 percent compared to last year after a one-time spend of more than $ 75 million on Christmas Eve.

Spending on Saturdays jumped about 20 percent on Saturdays in early November, before the holiday spree began.

Spending on the day after Boxing Day fell further by 23.6 percent compared to last year, but the steepest drop was likely due to the day after Boxing Day being Sunday this year.

Spokesman Paul Brislen said the strong run up to Christmas was also possibly an influence on the lower-than-usual patterns on Boxing Day.

“As usual, the busiest days of the year were the days immediately before Christmas Day.

“Spending in the two days before Christmas Day increased 10.4 percent compared to last year for the same group of merchants, with the busiest day being Wednesday, two days before Christmas.”

Christmas Eve spending of $ 75 million was much higher in 2019 when $ 70 million was spent.

Looking at the period before and after Christmas, annual spending for the five weeks ending Sunday, December 27, was up 5 percent from last year, which included a strong start during the Black’s four-day sales. Friday.