New Zealand shoppers spent more on their debit and credit cards last month, according to figures out today.

The co-founder and chief executive of daily deal website GrabOne is planning to take a well-earned rest after he leaves the company next month.

It may still be only establishing itself on home turf but The Shopping Channel has already struck a deal to move into Australia.

Shoppers can now buy nearly $80 worth of goods on a credit card at many shops without having to sign or use a Pin number.

Briscoe Group says annual profit climbed at least 9 per cent after a good Christmas sales period.

The undeniable pleasure of shopping will ensure central-city shops' survival, writes Bob Jones. But smaller towns are doomed.

Retail sales charged to electronic cards rose 0.3 per cent last month, adjusted for seasonal effects, continuing a trend of slow but steady increases in consumer spending.

Retailers enjoyed only a modest improvement in spending patterns over December, according to Paymark.

Retailers might be enjoying a post-Christmas spending bonanza, but an economist warns the sales boom can't last.

It might be grown on old opium farms but $60-a-cup Black Ivory is hardly the most unexpected coffee discovery in the shadow of Asia's golden triangle.

Veritas Investments chairman Mark Darrow says many opportunities exist for expanding the Mad Butcher retail chain.

Two personal finance companies - one of which charges over 500 per cent interest a year if loans are not paid back in two weeks - are in a High Court stoush over a super hero logo.

A battle between Sanitarium and a Christchurch man who imported 2000 jars of UK Marmite into New Zealand will head to the High Court early next year.

Consumer confidence has lifted to its highest level for more than a year, the Westpac McDermott Miller survey has found.

ANZ New Zealand - the country's biggest bank - has sold its eftpos terminal leasing unit, EFTPOS New Zealand, for an undisclosed sum.

Kiwis are flocking to the shops to stock up for Christmas, with eftpos spending up on last year. Westfield spokeswoman Deb McGhie said it appeared shopping centres were busier this year than last - though they wouldn't know for sure until next year

A slowdown from the first half of the year is expected when economic growth figures for the September quarter come out on Thursday.