New Zealand’s electronic card retail sales swung back into positive territory in July 2026, rising 1.3% month-over-month, according to data updated on 16 August 2026. The uptick marks a sharp reversal from June 2026, when sales fell 1.3% compared with May.
The month-over-month comparison shows that consumer spending via electronic cards strengthened notably in July after the prior month’s downturn. The “actual” figure reflects the change from June to July 2026, while the “previous” figure captures the change from May to June 2026. This shift from a 1.3% decline to a 1.3% gain suggests a stabilisation in electronic card-based retail activity after a weak start to the winter period.