Fashion spending in New Zealand last month was NZ$3 million more than in November 2024, and is more than NZ$60 million compared to October 2025.
This is according to the latest electronic card transaction data from Stats NZ, which shows that despite the uplift in fashion spending in November this year, to NZ$392 million, total fashion spending for the month is actually 4 per cent below the same month in 2023. This is all in actual sales rather than seasonally adjusted.
However, trajectories over the last three years indicate that fashion spending in December 2025 is set to be 20 per cent higher than the prior month.
The recent jump in fashion spending in November joins a 2.1 per cent overall sales lift for total core retail – excluding cars, car parts, fuel and services retailing – to NZ$6.77 billion. Peak body retail NZ called this positive news and signs of green shoots across the broader sector as retailers head into their busiest time of year.
“November really is the launch pad for the busy Christmas sales so this increase sets up retail for a positive end to a really difficult trading year,” Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young said. “We have seen positive numbers across retail with consumables up 4 per cent, durables up 0.8 per cent, and apparel up 0.7 per cent compared to November 2024, all good signs that we may be coming out the back of the recession.”
This also comes as the Reserve Bank of New Zealand recently indicated feelings that NZ was at the end of the easing cycle and were expecting to see growth in 2026. They went so far as to tell consumers that they need to get out and spend to support economic growth.
“So it seems that the potential relief ahead signalled by the Reserve Bank, may be here, but it will be important that November sales figures are a launch pad rather than a one off sales period” Young said.
Young also called on consumers to buy from retailers trading in New Zealand rather than overseas platforms that have been soaking up market share in both NZ and Australia.
“Buying local means that the money stays in New Zealand, helps our economy and supports local businesses,” she said. “Consumers continue to be protected by local legislation such as the Consumer Guarantees Act, Fair Trading Act and Health and Safety Standards.”
“The retail sector has been under significant strain, 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 to remain open.
“Hopefully these sales numbers are sign that we are turning the corner as retailers will be looking to 2026 as a year of recovery.”
Including all industries, such as services, cars, car parts, and fueling, total actual retail sales were $10.2 billion. In seasonally adjusted terms, fashion spending grew by 3.4 per cent month-on-month in November 2025 and were up 2.89 per cent year-on-year.