A record-breaking lead up to Christmas at the tills

Shoppers spent $5.2 billion at retail stores in the six weeks prior to Christmas.

That was up 6.9 percent on 2020, which saw the previous record of $4.9 billion.

Worldline New Zealand head of data George Putnam says in the northern half of the North Island there was a spike when people realised they could leave the house and go to the shops.

Mr Putnam says in areas like Otago, the spending was more slow and steady, because things had been stable there for longer.

New Zealanders spent nearly $100 million on Boxing Day - slightly below last year, but slightly above the pre-Covid levels of 2019.