The latest retail insights are here, showing how economic conditions and events are shaping spending in our region.

Retail card spending in Manawatū totalled $432 million in the June 2025 quarter, down 1.5% on the same period last year, compared with a 1.3% fall nationally. 

Over the full year, spending dropped 1.8%, slightly steeper than the national decline of 1.6%. With inflation at 2.7%, this reflects a continued squeeze on household budgets.

The combined ‘groceries and liquor’ category was the only category to record growth, up 1.2%. All other retail categories saw declines, with hospitality, accommodation, and fuel and automotive hardest hit. 

Fridays and Saturdays continue to be the busiest shopping days, with the highest daily spend recorded on Thursday 17 April at $7.2 million – the eve of Good Friday. The strongest week of spend was the one ending 15 June, with $36 million spent, supported by a stacked events calendar including the opening of Te Ahu a Turanga Highway, Devilskin at Fly Palmy Arena, the Eagles tribute concert, Manawatū Car Club’s “Bent Sprint” at Manfeild, and the launch of Timezone in Palmerston North’s CBD. 

Despite softer spending, the region recorded a net gain of $144 million from visitors, as their spending outweighed what locals spent outside the region. International visitor spend grew strongly, up 16.8% to $33 million over the year. 

Looking ahead, easing interest rates are expected to help lift retail activity, but any recovery is likely to be gradual.