Spending in the Eastern Bay grew to a little over $110.3 million in the quarter ending September 30 - an increase of 6.1 per cent on the same period last year.

The figure features in a retail report prepared by analysis company Marketview for the Eastern Bay of Plenty Chamber of Commerce.

The report also shows transactions increased to 2,770,502 during the quarter to September 30 and had increased by 7.8 per cent on the same period in 2015.

Chamber chief executive Ged Casey says the report makes establishing the difference between what drives business growth in our region – and what is a waste of money – much easier.

'This data also continues to debase the notion locals are spending most of their money out of the region. A whopping 82.2 per cent of all retail transactions in the Eastern Bay for the quarter recorded were made by locals.

'What has also been interesting is the 20.3 per cent increase in local spending by people from the rest of the Bay of Plenty. Also the Rest of New Zealand cardholders spend in the Eastern Bay is up 12.8 per cent and the International spend up slightly to 1.5 per cent.”

Broken down further, the reports shows locals spent $90.69m within the Eastern Bay during the quarter while non-locals spent $19.69m.

Accommodation enjoyed the largest growth in the Eastern Bay, up 24.3 per cent, as opposed to hardware/homeware growth in competitor locations (Taupo,Tauranga and Rotorua).

In all Whakatane suburbs and neighbouring towns, excluding Kopeopeo, there was an increase in spend with the largest increase (18.2 per cent) enjoyed by Ohope businesses.

This increase was followed closely by an 18.2 per cent increase at The Hub. Spending in Opotiki was up 7.6 per cent and 4.5 per cent in Kawerau.

Ged says while on a micro level, the data also shows Eastern Bay locals spent 27 per cent more online nationally than for the same period last year, compared to 11 per cent of the rest of the country.

'This clearly illustrates the e-commerce challenge facing local retailers and small business. However 42 per cent of Eastern Bay locals spend online compared to 49 per cent of the rest of New Zealand.”

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MARKETVIEW REPORT:

• Spending in the Eastern Bay grew to $110,375,022 in the quarter to September 30
• Locals spending at 82.2 per cent - up 4.1 per cent
• Rest of Bay of Plenty spending up 20 per cent
• Fastest growth, accommodation, up 24.3 per cent to a total spend of $2.8 m
• Spending in Kawerau up 4.5 per cent to a total spend of $11 m
• Spending in Opotiki up 7.6 per cent to a total spend of $16.7 m
• Waikato visitors spend up 12 per cent
• Auckland visitors spend up 43.9 per cent
• Food and beverage spend up 17.4 per cent
• Supermarkets continue to be the largest Eastern Bay retail sector at $47m, followed by fuel at $18.2 m and beverage at $11.5m