Christmas spending has dropped as inflation tightens peoples wallets

Data from payment company Worldline NZ show consumer spending through its network - excluding hospitality - reached 5.21 billion dollars during the full six-weeks before Christmas.

That's down 0.7 percent on the same six weeks last year and up 13.6 percent on 2019.

Chief Sales Officer Bruce Proffit says they expected spending would be low this month.

Mr Proffit says the rise in the cost of living is causing people to be more careful with their money.