Confirmation of the difficult time facing retailers

Annual figures from payment processor Worldline show retail spending increased just 0.8 percent last year -- the slowest consumer spending growth in half a decade.

The value of the average sale dropped 0.6 percent, to just over 50 dollars.

Infometrics Principal Economist, Brad Olsen says it indicates Kiwis are doing a bit more bargain-hunting.

He says some people are also looking for smaller items because they can't afford larger, higher-value items.