Aucklanders’ big weekend of haircuts

Aucklanders spent $7.2 million at hairdressing and beauty merchants over the weekend, after more than 100 days going without. The country moved to the newCovid-19 traffic light system on December 3, which meant Auckland’s bars, restaurants, and close contact businesses were able to open after more than 100 days in lockdown. Worldline data showed the increased freedom meant spending at beauty and hairdressing merchants surged to a total of $7.2m from Friday to Sunday, up 44 per cent on the same three days last week and up 34 per cent on the same time last year. Nearly $17mwas spent from Friday to Sunday in Auckland and Northland cafes and restaurants, which was 86 per cent higher than the same three days in the previous week, and $3.2mwas spent at clubs and bars, up 180 per cent. Combined, national average spending through Worldline for core retailers, excluding hospitality merchants, was $114m per day lastweek.