It’s been tough for retailers, yet spending in Nelson and Tasman still grew by 2.6 per cent last year and in Richmond, Stacey owner Jackie Gibbs-Beaton says it helps to have an “awesome community”.
Worldline NZ’s figures show that nationally, consumer spending growth in 2024 was the slowest it has been in half a decade, but in Nelson there was at least that little bit of growth on the previous year to reach $85 million worth of transactions. Some regions had negative growth.
Jackie says her fashion clothing business was up “just a little” on the previous year, but it took a lot of hard work to achieve that, and she is fortunate to have repeat shoppers.
“We have a fantastic team and an awesome community that gets behind us and supports us,” she says. “I haven’t got anything to complain about because so many stores have closed and so many retailers struggling.”
She says her customers are not online shoppers and when she holds ticketed events, every ticket sells. But whereas those events used to be the icing on the cake, they are now an essential part of the business to stay ahead.
At Carpet Plus, owner Jill Gale says 2024 was a quiet and hard year for the business – quiet two years – but 2025 has started on a positive note with more sales and that gives her hope.
“Everyone reckons this year will be different, so that is what you have to hope. We have so many repeat customers that get us through.”
Health and Herbs owner Alana Wilson says she just wants people to be happy and have more money to spend that they spend locally.
“We have such awesome businesses here and we’re lucky with what we’ve got.”
Annette McCrae owns McCraes Blinds and Screens at Wakatu Estate and she noticed an improvement in sales toward the end of last year which has continued in January, but says they had to work hard to achieve it.
“There’s definitely a little bit of confidence out there. I wouldn’t say it’s going to boom or go back to what it used to be, but people are starting to loosen their belts. I think the lift will be slow.”
MS Motors also noticed a lift in business toward the end of last year, driven by parts, service and tyres, which chief executive Jimmy Banks says could have been prompted by summer holidays and more travel, so getting work done that may have been on hold.
“2024 was extremely tough, but the sunlight started shining in the last quarter and moving forward, we’re positive we will get back to business as usual.”
He says it will be helped along by the region’s improving economy, as primary industries and tourism benefit from the falling New Zealand dollar.
