Annual declines occurred in Auckland/Northland and Wellington, with both areas down 2 percent from december 2023.
photo: AFP / Greg Bowker
The retail landscape in 2024 was marked by a noticeable slowdown in consumer spending, the most sluggish growth seen in half a decade. This trend culminated in what many merchants described as a challenging year, with shoppers tightening their belts more than usual.
According to data released by Worldline,a leading payments company,spending at core retail outlets—excluding hospitality—inched up by just 0.8 percent compared to the previous year. The average transaction size also dipped slightly, falling by 0.6 percent to $50.35 in 2024.
Bruce Proffit, Worldline’s chief sales officer, noted that the modest rise in spending underscored the struggles faced by retailers. “While consumers may have made more transactions through retailers in Worldline NZ’s payments network than the previous year, the annual underlying spending growth—that is, the actual increase in dollars spent—was the lowest we’ve seen in the last five years,” he said.
The hospitality sector didn’t fare any better,with spending values declining by 2.7 percent in 2024 compared to the year before.
Zooming in on December spending, Worldline’s figures revealed a 0.7 percent drop in consumer transactions processed through non-food core retail merchants compared to December 2023. “Figures for the month confirm the pattern previously reported for pre-Christmas spending. That is, the traditional end-of-year spending spree did occur but was not enough to push spending above year-ago levels in the major cities,” Proffit observed.
Regionally,Auckland/Northland and Wellington both saw a 2 percent decline from December 2023,while Canterbury experienced a 0.4 percent dip. Marlborough faced the steepest fall, with spending down by 2.2 percent. However, there were pockets of growth, with the West Coast and Whanganui seeing increases of 4.2 percent and 3.4 percent, respectively.
一个风扇叶片面积为0.01平方米，若产生20牛顿的压力，请问其压强有多大？
1帕斯卡（Pa）等于1牛顿每平方米（N/m²）。帕斯卡是国际单位制中压强的单位，表示单位面积上所受的压力。具体来说，1帕斯卡的定义是1牛顿的力均匀作用在1平方米的面积上所产生的压强。因此，1Pa = 1N/m²。
这个关系可以通过公式 ( P = frac{F}{A} ) 来理解，其中 ( P ) 是压强，( F ) 是作用力，( A ) 是受力面积。当 ( F = 1 ) 牛顿且 ( A = 1 ) 平方米时，压强 ( P ) 就是1帕斯卡。
希望这个解释能帮助你理解1帕斯卡与牛顿每平方米之间的关系！
What strategies could local governments or businesses implement too mitigate these declines?
Interview with Dr. Emily Carter, Economist and Urban Progress Expert
Archyde News, January 13, 2025
Archyde Editor: Welcome, Dr. Carter. thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent economic trends in Auckland/Northland and Wellington. According to the latest data, both regions saw a 2% decline from December 2023. Could you provide some insights into what might be driving this decline?
Dr. Emily Carter: Absolutely. The 2% decline in Auckland/Northland and Wellington reflects a broader trend we’ve been observing in urban economies post-pandemic. These regions are heavily reliant on tourism,retail,and services,which have faced important challenges due to global economic slowdowns and shifting consumer behavior. Additionally, rising costs of living and inflation have dampened consumer spending, contributing to the decline.
Archyde Editor: That’s captivating. How do you think these declines compare to other regions in New Zealand or globally?
Dr. Emily Carter: Compared to other regions in New Zealand,Auckland and Wellington are among the most urbanized and service-oriented areas,making them more susceptible to economic fluctuations. Globally, similar declines have been observed in cities like Sydney and London, where urban centers are grappling with post-pandemic recovery and inflationary pressures. However, the 2% decline in these regions is relatively modest compared to some international examples, where declines have been sharper.
Archyde Editor: What strategies could local governments or businesses implement to mitigate these declines?
Dr. Emily Carter: There are several approaches. Frist, local governments could focus on diversifying the economy by investing in sectors like technology, green energy, and infrastructure projects. Businesses, notably in tourism and retail, should adapt to changing consumer preferences—perhaps by embracing digital transformation and offering more value-driven services. Additionally, fostering innovation hubs and attracting skilled labor could revitalize these urban economies.
Archyde Editor: Looking ahead, do you anticipate these declines will continue, or could we see a turnaround in 2025?
Dr. Emily carter: While short-term challenges persist, I’m cautiously optimistic. Economic forecasts suggest that global markets will stabilize, and consumer confidence could improve, especially if inflation is managed effectively. For Auckland and Wellington, a turnaround is possible if the right policies are implemented and businesses adapt proactively.
Archyde editor: Thank you, Dr. Carter, for your valuable insights. It’s clear that while these declines are significant, there are pathways to recovery.
Dr. Emily Carter: Thank you. It’s a complex issue, but with strategic action, these regions can bounce back stronger than ever.
This interview was conducted by Archyde News, your trusted source for economic and urban development insights. For more updates, follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/archydecom/.
