The latest retail insights for Manawatū are in, showing signs of cautious improvement across the region, despite ongoing pressure on household budgets.
Retail card spending in Manawatū totalled $437 million in the March 2026 quarter, up 2.1% on the same period last year. This was ahead of the national increase of 0.4%.
Annual spending also returned to positive territory for the first time since August 2024, increasing 0.1% year-on-year, while national annual spending declined 0.3%.
Four retail precincts recorded annual growth this quarter, a noticeable improvement from the December 2025 quarter when Feilding was the only precinct to see an increase. Terrace End recorded the strongest annual growth, up 2%, followed by Feilding at 1.5%.
Across retail categories, groceries and liquor remained the only sector to record annual growth, increasing 3%. All other categories declined, highlighting that consumer spending continues to remain cautious as households manage ongoing cost pressures.
Fridays and Thursdays were the busiest shopping days this quarter, with the highest daily spend recorded on Thursday 5th February at $6.47 million ahead of Waitangi Day. Spending during Central Districts Field Days also gave retail activity a boost, with Friday 20th March reaching $6.4 million in spending region-wide.
The region’s annual loyalty rate reached 83.4%, the highest level recorded in the past five years, reflecting a continued trend of residents choosing to spend locally and support businesses across Manawatū.
International visitor spending also continued to grow strongly, increasing 26.4% year-on-year to reach $39 million.
Looking ahead, consumer spending is expected to remain cautious as households continue to manage higher fuel costs and broader price pressures linked to the recent oil shock. These rising costs are beginning to impact spending across everyday goods and services, meaning discretionary spending is likely to stay subdued until economic conditions stabilise.
For a deeper dive into the numbers and what they mean for our region, check out the full report on CEDA.nz.
