Christmas shoppers are getting in early this year with spending in the Bay of Plenty up 7.2 per cent on the same time last year.

Latest figures released from Paymark show the number of electronic card transactions jumped from 5.08million in November 2012 to 5.44million this year in the BOP.

Payless Plastics owner Kathy Hardy with her November sales statistics.

This equated to a 6.4 per cent rise in the amount of money spent. Last year shoppers spent $257.6million in November, compared to $274.1million this year.

Paymark figures show an 8.6 per cent growth in spending nationwide in the first seven days of December.

In Tauranga Playless Plastics owner Kathy Hardy says the store on Cameron Road experienced a bumper November she believes is due to the hot temperatures and sunny skies.

'We have had an exceptionally hot November which made an increase in sales with our summer stocks like swimming pools and camping,”Kathy says.

'We have had a considerable rise since last year, November was exceptionally good and December is tracking well also.”

Kathy hopes the growth in spending has spread right across Tauranga and the region.

'It would be good to see an improvement for all the businesses and the community.”

Paymark processes about three quarters of all electronic transactions in New Zealand and has reported a number of sectors performing well.

Some of the top retailers to experience a jump in sales are hardware stores are up 15 per cent from last year, takeaways up 9.7 per cent and cafes and restaurants up 11.4 per cent.

There has also been an acceleration of spending at liquor outlets up 12.6 per cent, furniture stores up 15.0 per cent, footwear stores up 10.4 per cent and accommodation providers up 9.0 per cent.

Paymarks head of customer relations, Mark Spicer, says the increase in spending is showing signs of building momentum towards Christmas.

'Kiwis are beginning to get out and about to collect their Christmas supplies. However, there is still a way to go before the big Christmas rush sets in,” says Mark.

'The extra spend in the first seven days of December on food and liquor has been noticeable this year, suggesting people are keen to stock their cupboards for Christmas meals and socialise with family and friends.”

Mark also believes the warmer weather has attributed to people being motivated to a surge in spending.