ANZ said card spending was flat in August on a seasonally adjusted basis, with annual growth easing to 4.1% from 6.1%, according to a Friday report by the bank.
The bank said most headline categories dipped compared to July, although tourism and recreation and non-retail trades and goods were both higher, while durables and hospitality continued a zig-zag pattern within an upward trend, falling after a lift in July.
Strong contributions to annual growth came from non-retail services and tourism and recreation, though smaller growth rates in other categories weighed on total growth, ANZ said, noting that annual growth remains positive across all groups.
Spending at fuel and electric vehicle charging stations fell 1.8% in August on a seasonally adjusted basis, extending declines from the prior month, while easing food price inflation may have contributed to softer spending at food-related store types, the report added.