Retail sales using electronic cards were flat in October on the previous month, with a rise in spending on food offset by falls in petrol sales and goods such as appliances and furniture.
Retail sales were the weakest since April, while core sales, which excluded vehicle related activity, rose 0.2 percent on the previous month, according to Statistics New Zealand figures.
Annual sales were 5.6 percent higher than a year ago.
The e-card sales, which cover credit and debit cards but do not include cash or cheques, make up about two-thirds of retail sales.
Retail sales numbers for the three months to September will be out next week.