The latest retail spending figures in Tauranga are down compared to 2008 but some business leaders say spending needs to increase to offset the hard conditions retailers have experienced.
Figures released by Statistics New Zealand show Tauranga retail spending in August was $171 million, down from $176 million in August 2008.

Tauranga Mainstreet manager Kirby Weis.

But retail figures across New Zealand in August were the highest monthly increase in two years.
New Zealand retail spending rose by 1.1 per cent in August and 66 per cent of the retail sector reported rises.
Tauranga Mainstreet manager Kirby Weis says landlords, local authorities and central government need to be very aware of the pressure retail and businesses have operated in for quite some time now.
'Any increase in retail spend is needed to offset the losses or difficultly they have experience over the last number of financial quarters.
Retail spend is a very good indicator on the every day average New Zealander's view or feel of the economy as it reflects our true day to day essential spend,” says Kirby.
But, he says the majority of retail spending is in sectors such as supermarkets and petrol stations.
'So the true retail spend for most of our small businesses in New Zealand and Downtown Tauranga may not be experiencing the real increases when these figures come out,” says Kirby.