It was a bright last month of the year for retail businesses

StatsNZ data shows seasonally adjusted electronic card spending increased 1.5-percent in December compared to November.

Core retail sectors, which exclude fuel and vehicle spending, saw a 1.8-percent rise month-on-month.

ASB Senior Economist Mark Smith says while the figure's are increasing from a low base, these are positive signs.

He says 2024 will be remembered as a very tough year for retail, but the December figures show there's light at the end of the tunnel.