Recent trading updates indicate the nation's leading retailers are feeling the pinch ahead of the busy season.
The Warehouse and Kathmandu are among the big names that have been seeing significant losses over the past few months.
Milford Asset Management's Michael Luke says there's hope things will pick up in the next few weeks, given the demand brought about by Christmas and Boxing Day.
LISTEN ABOVE

Gavin Grey: UK correspondent on the UK allowing the US to use British airbases for defensive strikes against Iran
05:12

Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management expert on the market reactions to the Iran conflict
03:49

Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on the economic implications of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East
05:16