Latest eftpos figures show strong continued spending in the run up to Christmas, with a 6.9% overall rise compared to the same time last year.
Paymark, which processes about three-quarters of the country's transactions, on Monday released figures for 1-21 December.
The company said shops took in $235.6 million on Friday 20 December, the busiest day of the year so far.
Paymark head of sales and marketing Paul Whiston said there's continued growth in spending on food takeaways, building supplies and accommodation, which have all jumped between 10% and 12%.
However Mr Whiston said internet shopping may be having an impact on other sectors like clothes retailers and bookshops. Sales figures for bookshops show a drop in spending of almost 10%.
