Retail spending continues to fall as the economy weakens

Stats NZ data for April recorded a 0.7 percent drop in core retail spending, compared to March.

That's 40 million dollars less spending.

ASB Senior Economist Mark Smith says the cost of living pressures are driving down non-essential purchases.

He says people are spending around 70 extra dollars a week on the necessities, so they have less to spend on what they don't need.