New Zealand's electronic card retail sales rose 3.4% year-on-year in July 2025, accelerating from a revised 1.3% increase in June and beating economist forecasts of about 2.5%. Seasonally adjusted retail spending increased 1.5% from June, the strongest monthly gain since late 2024, while total electronic card transactions, including non-retail spending, advanced 1.8%. Consumables, durables and hospitality led the rise, suggesting consumer demand may be responding to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's easing cycle after its 25-basis-point rate cut in May, though flat fuel spending and a slight dip in apparel showed the recovery remained uneven.