Retail Wage Growth Eases As Sector Navigates Economic SlowdownThe overall average retail wage has risen to $30.94 per hour, up 1% on last year, according to the 2026 Wages Guide from Retail NZ, the peak body representing New Zealand's retail sector. The modest lift in the average wage this year is a noticeable slowdown from the 3.4% increase recorded in the 2025 guide, signalling that wage growth across the sector is beginning to ease due to the ongoing economic headwinds facing retail. “While wage growth has slowed compared to previous years, the average retail wage remains well above the Minimum Wage ($23.95) and Living Wage ($28.95).” Ms Young says with 222,400 Kiwis working across 29,505 retail businesses, the sector remains a critical pillar of New Zealand’s economy. “This year’s Wages Guide reinforces that retail offers diverse, dynamic, and well-remunerated career pathways well beyond the traditional shop floor.”