Earthquake hits Canterbury sales

Eftpos sales at Canterbury businesses  plunged by a third in the wake of Saturday's quake, Eftpos provider Paymark says.

Total spending over Paymark's Canterbury network over September 4 and 5 was down by $8.1 million year on year, or 32 per cent.

Saturday sales were down 43 per cent on last year while Sunday sales dropped 18 per cent.

All retail sectors suffered but among those hardest hit were gift stores, camera and photo shops and electronics stores - which traditionally experienced a lift in sales around Fathers Day.

The drop in Eftpos sales over the weekend follows tough trading in August for Canterbury retailers. Eftpos sales for the month were down 0.6 per cent year on year.

- © Fairfax NZ News