BNZ's February Online Retail Sales stats show spending at international online retailers continues to grow faster than spending with local stores.

Total online retail spending by New Zealanders in February 2017 was +14% on February 2016, say the latest stats.

BNZ Marketview says this is "a solid performance", particularly considering that 2016 was a leap year with an extra day in February.

Purchases from offshore online retailers in February were +16%, with clothing and computer stores again responsible for around half of the increase.

Kiwis buying pharmacy and cosmetics from offshore sites also saw a more than 40% increase.

Spending at local online retailers was +12% on February last year with food categories responsible for over 40% of the increase in online purchases at local merchants.

More specifically relevant to Wares readers, online spending at electrical & electronic goods (including computers & appliances) retailers grew by 23%.