According to data released by Worldline, spending in the F&B sector in March rebounded compared to February, reaching approximately $700 million as restrictions were lifted.
Overall spending was down 16.3 percent year on year, however, as the sector was not impacted by the Covid-19 Omicron variant. The rebound resulted from an increasing number of Kiwis are spending more at local cafes and restaurants as the government eased restrictions.
“As international travel rules continue to ease further in the months ahead, the yardstick will be how well businesses are doing relative to pre-Covid levels,” said head of data at Worldline, George Putnam.
Meanwhile, the rest of the core retail sector saw $2.9 billion in spending last month, surging 2.5 percent compared to the same period last year, and up 10 percent on pre-Covid levels.
