Canadian consumer spending up 3.31 per cent in Q1

Despite continued growth, Moneris Solutions reports that spending volumes are down

TORONTO, April 11, 2013 /CNW/ - Moneris Solutions Corporation ("Moneris"), Canada's largest credit and debit card processor, announced today that Canadian spending increased by 3.31 per cent during the first quarter of 2013 compared to the same period last year. Despite this, spending volumes dropped steadily throughout the quarter, with January showing a spending increase of 4.38 per cent, while February and March showed increases of 3.35 per cent and 2.17 per cent, respectively.

The hotel category saw the highest increase in overall spending of 7.07 per cent, followed by grocery at 6.24 per cent and restaurants at 5.15 per cent. Fast food restaurants continued to fuel the spending growth in the restaurant category, with an increase in dollars spent of 8.75 per cent, compared to the same period in 2012.

According to the Moneris Spending Report, pet owners continued to be especially kind to their animals this quarter, as pet stores and pet foods saw the greatest spend increase within the specialty retail category, at 12.15 per cent. This was followed by sporting goods at 7.96 per cent and florists at 5.20 per cent.

Normally a strong category, apparel saw its spending drop slightly by -0.42 per cent in the first quarter, compared to the same period last year. Within the specialty retail category, book stores experienced a spending decrease of -4.66 per cent, followed closely by cameras & photography at -4.42 per cent.

With an increase of 7.22 per cent, Alberta led the way in spending growth in Canada, followed by Newfoundland and Labrador at 6.05 per cent and Saskatchewan at 5.93 per cent. Ontario experienced moderate growth in Q1 compared to the same period last year, at 1.99 per cent. At the bottom of the spending pack were New Brunswick, with an increase in spending of 0.12 per cent, followed by Nova Scotia at 0.04 per cent and Prince Edward Island at -0.62 per cent.

Debit card spending (3.78 per cent) continued to outpace credit card spending (2.98 per cent) in the first quarter, compared to the same period last year, which may indicate a heightened awareness among Canadians around the need to reduce household debt. Nationally, the overall credit to debit ratio was 58.9 per cent to 41.1 per cent while, with Ontario showing the highest credit to debit ratio at 63.1 per cent to 36.9 per cent. Conversely, New Brunswick experienced the lowest credit to debit card ratio (49.1 per cent : 50.9 per cent) followed by Manitoba (at 49.4 per cent : 50.6 per cent).

"This quarter continued to be positive one for merchants and for the Canadian economy," said Malcolm Fowler, Vice President of Marketing, Moneris Solutions Corporation. "As we enter the second quarter, it will be interesting to see if spending continues to increase or if it levels off - which we will continue to monitor accordingly."

About The Moneris Spending Report
The Moneris Spending Report provides a snapshot of consumer spending activity in Canada by analyzing credit and debit card transaction data. As the market leader with the largest merchant base, Moneris presents detailed analysis and insight on a quarterly basis. The percentages cited are derived from actual sales volumes - the dollar values of credit and debit card transactions being processed by Moneris merchants.

About Moneris Solutions
As one of North America's largest providers of payment processing solutions, Moneris Solutions Corporation ("Moneris") offers credit, debit, wireless and online payment services for merchants in virtually every industry segment and processes more than three billion transactions, annually. Through its Ernex division, Moneris offers electronic loyalty and stored-value gift card programs. With more than 350,000 merchant locations, Moneris provides the hardware, software and systems needed to improve business efficiency and manage payments. For more information please visit www.moneris.com.

SOURCE: Moneris Solutions Corporation