The regions are leading the way when it comes to spending before Christmas.

Paymark figures show regional core retail merchants recorded $2.1 billion in card spending last month, an annual growth rate of 6.1 per cent.

But spending in Auckland and Northland slowed, with only a 1.6 per cent increase between October 2016 and October 2017.

However Retail NZ General Manager of Public Relations Greg Harford said from now onwards is a great time for retailers.

"Spending certainly starts increasing through November and then really ramps up in December. Over the next two months we're expecting Kiwis to get out and spend about $17 billion in the retail sector."