Retail spending using electronic cards rose in the March 2017 quarter across most retail industries, according to figures from Stats NZ.

When adjusted for seasonal effects, spending in the retail industries rose 1.7 per cent in the March 2017 quarter, after a 1.5 per cent rise in the December 2016 quarter.

Stats NZ business indicators senior manager Neil Kelly says the rise in retail card spending in the March quarter was driven by an increase in fuel spending.

'Spending rose in five of the six retail industries in the March quarter. The largest rise came from the fuel industry, up $126 million, or seven per cent.”

Core retail spending (which excludes the vehicle-related industries) rose 1.2 per cent in the March 2017 quarter, after a one per cent rise in the December 2016 quarter.

In actual terms, retail spending using electronic cards was $15.1 billion in the March 2017 quarter, up $669 million (4.6 per cent) from the March 2016 quarter.

When adjusted for seasonal effects, monthly retail card spending fell 0.3 percent in March 2017 compared with February 2017. This is the second month in a row that retail card spending has fallen.

'The fall in retail card spending in the March month was driven by a decrease in fuel spending, which coincides with a price drop of fuel,” says Neil.

'However, fuel spending for the March quarter remained high.”

Spending fell in three of the six retail industries in March. The largest fall came from the fuel industry, down $12 million (1.9 per cent). This fall follows a $14 million (2.2 percent) rise in February 2017.

Core retail spending (which excludes the vehicle-related industries) fell 0.1 percent in March 2017, after a 0.7 per cent fall in February 2017.

The total value of electronic card spending, including the two non-retail industries (services, and other non-retail), rose 0.5 per cent in March 2017. This follows a 0.7 per cent fall in February 2017.

Trends for the total, retail, and core retail series have generally been rising since these series began in October 2002.

In actual terms, retail spending using electronic cards was $5.2 billion in March 2017, up $279 million (5.6 per cent) from March 2016.