Consumers appear to be feeling the pinch ahead of Christmas

Figures from Worldline shows Kiwis spent just over 3.2 billion dollars in the first three weeks of this month - down 1.3 percent on the same time last year.

Core retail spending still hasn't caught up to last year - for things like appliances, electronic and clothes.

Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young says spending figures have been low all year - with a slight lift in November.

She says there's a chance people bought Christmas presents during Black Friday sales - and now are lacking spending money.