Satish Ranchhod

Stats NZ reports that spending on discretionary items helped drive the $239 million seasonally-adjusted rise in sales volumes in the December quarter

Stats NZ reports that spending on discretionary items helped drive the $239 million seasonally-adjusted rise in sales volumes in the December quarter

Food prices rocketed 2.5% last month, driving the annual food price rise up 4.6%

Food prices rocketed 2.5% last month, driving the annual food price rise up 4.6%

Retail NZ says while there is slightly more willingness by households to pull out the wallet, 'shoppers are remaining cautious about how much they are spending'

Retail NZ says while there is slightly more willingness by households to pull out the wallet, 'shoppers are remaining cautious about how much they are spending'

Westpac senior economist Satish Ranchhod says there's been an encouraging lift in discretionary spending, with particularly large increases in spending in the hospitality sector, as well as increased sales of furnishings and other household durables

Westpac senior economist Satish Ranchhod says there's been an encouraging lift in discretionary spending, with particularly large increases in spending in the hospitality sector, as well as increased sales of furnishings and other household durables

‘Our new laser-focussed-on-inflation RBNZ Governor will not be amused’: Economists say OCR hike in 2026 ‘likelier than not’ following latest annual inflation figures

‘Our new laser-focussed-on-inflation RBNZ Governor will not be amused’: Economists say OCR hike in 2026 ‘likelier than not’ following latest annual inflation figures

Retail NZ says the Black Friday-led surge in sales in November did not continue into December and believes retailers will 'be bracing for a possible rocky few months ahead of them'

Retail NZ says the Black Friday-led surge in sales in November did not continue into December and believes retailers will 'be bracing for a possible rocky few months ahead of them'

Stats NZ reports a $472 million inflation-adjusted, seasonally-adjusted increase in volume of retail sales in September quarter with the increase dominated by rises in electronic goods and motor vehicle sales

Stats NZ reports a $472 million inflation-adjusted, seasonally-adjusted increase in volume of retail sales in September quarter with the increase dominated by rises in electronic goods and motor vehicle sales

There are ‘no obstacles’ to another Official Cash Rate cut, economists say, and they expect inflation to fall as Statistics New Zealand’s latest Selected Price Indexes shows annual food prices up 4.7% in October

There are ‘no obstacles’ to another Official Cash Rate cut, economists say, and they expect inflation to fall as Statistics New Zealand’s latest Selected Price Indexes shows annual food prices up 4.7% in October

Electronic cards data for October shows that apart from rises in fuel and consumables spending, seasonally adjusted retail spending was on a downward path again

Electronic cards data for October shows that apart from rises in fuel and consumables spending, seasonally adjusted retail spending was on a downward path again

RBNZ survey shows expectations of the future level of inflation have barely changed and remain 'anchored' near 2% despite the rise in actual annual inflation to 3%

RBNZ survey shows expectations of the future level of inflation have barely changed and remain 'anchored' near 2% despite the rise in actual annual inflation to 3%

Economists say the September quarter annual inflation figure likely marks the peak and they still expect the Reserve Bank to cut the Official Cash Rate again next month

Economists say the September quarter annual inflation figure likely marks the peak and they still expect the Reserve Bank to cut the Official Cash Rate again next month

Electronic cards data for September shows that after three consecutive months of gains, seasonally adjusted retail spending fell again

Electronic cards data for September shows that after three consecutive months of gains, seasonally adjusted retail spending fell again

Westpac McDermott Miller Employment Confidence Survey shows that despite a slight lift, confidence remains at the low levels seen in the aftermath of the first Covid lockdown in 2020

Westpac McDermott Miller Employment Confidence Survey shows that despite a slight lift, confidence remains at the low levels seen in the aftermath of the first Covid lockdown in 2020

An unexpected rise in retail sales activity for the June quarter suggests 'there may be life in the old economy yet'

An unexpected rise in retail sales activity for the June quarter suggests 'there may be life in the old economy yet'

Inflation could rise above 3%, Westpac economist says, after Statistics NZ's Selected Price Indexes show 5% annual food price increase due to higher grocery prices

Inflation could rise above 3%, Westpac economist says, after Statistics NZ's Selected Price Indexes show 5% annual food price increase due to higher grocery prices