Retailers are hoping a sales rebound means an industry uptick has begun.

Stats NZ data shows total retail sales increased 0.9 percent in the three months ending December - against the quarter before.

Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly says this is a good sign for the economy - but warns companies not to get ahead of themselves.

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Business owners are being encouraged to work with neighbours to keep small towns 'alive'.

Napier City Business general manager Pip Thompson says Napier and Hastings CBDs become ghost towns after 5pm, when stores close.

She says 'to stay alive in 2025', trading hours need to no longer be confined to 9-to-5.

But Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young says a single store can't make the change alone.

"If you've got a number of stores around you that are open later, people will come because they know that they can call into that store at a time that suits them after work."

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The Government is welcoming more foreign investment to New Zealand businesses by amending the Overseas Investment Act.

The Associate Finance Minister David Seymour talks to Mike Hosking about the announcement, why it took as long as it did, how much money is coming into the country, and the sectors excluded from the reform.

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