Data released from Worldline shows June was an "especially quiet" month for retailers.
Southland surged 10 places up the leaderboard.
Results of a new survey are being described as "hugely encouraging" for the Reserve Bank.
"The trend has started to move up."
The cost of living continues to put pressure on Kiwi households.
Prescription fees, single-use plastics, public transport and fuel taxes all changed on July 1 last year.
"The lifeblood of the economy will come back when we see interest rates being cut."
But Tony Alexander is warning of how businesses could be "ensuring this recession extends into 2025".
Tony Alexander says the economic pain "is going to get a lot worse" before the end of the year.