January
The Barclays Consumer Spend report for January indicated a shift in consumer behaviour, as well as the popularity of dry January, meant bars, pubs and clubs all saw a smaller uplift of 6.5% compared with December at 7.9%.
Restaurants experienced a higher month-by-month decline, with 59% of people planning to limit discretionary spending throughout the winter limiting eating out at restaurants.
Consumer card spending grew 3.1% year-on-year throughout the month, which was less than the 4.2% inflation rate. However, this was noted as higher than December’s growth of 2.3%.
Retail, hospitality and leisure spending decreased as Brits chose to remain home and shelter from colder weather conditions.
Consumer confidence in both household finances and their ability to spend within their means reached it’s highest point in over two years.
Spending on essential items also increased 4.2%, which was noticeably higher than December at 1.8%. This was mainly driven by recoveries in fuel spending.
Growth in supermarket spending also went up to 5.2% from 2.8% in December.
February
Overall growth in spending at pubs, bars and clubs was at its lowest level 1.1% since September 2022 in February.
Increased nights in also led to a slower month for restaurants compared with previous years.
Consumer card spending grew 1.9% in February, which was the lowest since 2022 according to the spend report.
Food price inflation also dropped to its lowest level since April 2022, recorded at 7%.
A slow down in food and fuel prices also caused a decrease in spend on essentials and wet weather contributed to a 2.2% dip in high street spending.
However, “insperiences” benefitted as Brits stayed in, with both takeaways and digital content growing 6.5%.
March
Non-essential spend growth hit an 18-month low throughout March.
One in four Brits took part in a “no spend challenge”, refraining from non-essential spending during a set period.
However, pubs benefited from major sporting events this month, including the Six Nations rugby tournament.
St Patrick’s Day also boosted pub trade while cinemas benefitted from blockbuster releases.
March saw a 1.9% increase in overall spending, this was on par with February as wet weather conditions affected both retailers and restaurants alike.
Consumer card spending flatlined in March, and retail spending remained almost flat at 0.7% lowered as a result of falling in store spending.
Essential spending remained generally flat at 2.4% during the month while spending habits on non-essential items saw the smallest uplift since September 2022, at 1.6%.
Rent and mortgage payments increased by 1.8%, below the peak of 12.2% noted in June 2023.
April
Consumer card spending grew to 18.1% throughout April, as rising living costs started to impact hospitality and retail.
Brits cut back on eating and drinking out in April, as restaurants saw declines in footfall compared to the previous year.
Growth in spending on takeaways and fast food was flat at 3.0%.
However, holiday bookings boosted the travel sector, particularly international travel, with airlines and travel agents noticing notable improvements.
A rise in entertainment spending came as 56% of consumers said they noticed tickets for events, attractions and also museums increased in price over the past year. 57% also said they were concerned about this trend.
May
Transactions at pub, bars and clubs reached a 2024 high on Saturday 4 May as better weather conditions and the bank holiday weekend encouraged Brits to make a trip to locals.
Transactions were up on the bank holiday to 16.8% compared to the previous Saturday, with 2.5 times as many sales processed compared to the average day in 2024 at the same stage.
According to the Barclays April Consumer Spend Index, pubs, bars and clubs saw a 3.9% boost in April.
However, generally Brits cut back on eating and drinking spending overall in the previous month, with restaurants experiencing a 13.1% decline, this was impacted by the cold weather within the month.
Meanwhile, consumer confidence in ability to spend more on non-essential items improved to a high of 56%.
At the time, Barclays head of hospitality and leisure Rich Robinson said: “Improving consumer confidence gives more cause for optimism for the hospitality industry. As the summer season approaches, the weather improves, and with major sporting and entertainment events on the horizon, pubs and restaurants will undoubtedly be hopeful that spending will rebound.”
Consumer card spending grew 1% year-on-year in May - this was the smallest notable rise since February 2021 and also significantly lower than the latest CPIH inflation rate of 3%.
Categories like airlines and takeaways were impacted by rising household bills, with wet weather contributing to lowered high street spending.
June
Overall pub transaction volumes more than doubled on the day of the Euros semi finals, increasing at a rate of 131.5% year-on-year, up 54.7% compared to the previous Wednesday.
Restaurant transactions also went up by 10.7% yearly and 13.3% week-upon-week, as sports fans visited on site premises to watch the win.
Pubs were expected to receive a Euros boost throughout June, after sales doubled during the semi-finals against Netherlands.
Data from Barclays showed the Euros semi finals led to significant boosts in trade for both pubs and bars, with restaurants also noticing increases.
The Barclays Consumer Spend report also showed restaurant spending was down 11.5% throughout last month, with weather leading many Brits opting to stay in instead of choosing to dine out.
Barclays head of hospitality and leisure Rich Robinson previously said: “Pubs and bars will undoubtedly be hopeful that Wednesday’s result will set the tone for this weekend’s final and the rest of the summer.
“With many other major sporting events taking place – including the Olympic Games and Wimbledon – we may see consumers’ non-essential spending bounce back as the weather improves.”
July
The final stages of the Euros 2024 generally boosted pub sales, while travel spending remained mostly resilient as holidaymakers paid off their last monthly instalments.
Non-essential spending saw a second consecutive recorded month of decline throughout July with two in five Brits stating they spent notably less due to poor weather conditions.
Retail also saw a drop, which was less steep compared with June, while the health and beauty sector climbed again. The Euros helped to support pubs and bars, and transactions tripling on the day of the Euros final.
Digital content and subscriptions increased significantly within July, prompted by ‘streamflation’ and popular TV series such as House of the Dragon.
Overall confidence in the UK economy climbed five percentage points, in the warmer summer months, despite a sharp dip in consumers’ confidence in their own finances overall.
Consumer card spending fell by 0.3% year-on-year throughout July which was a slight improvement comparatively to June.
July was noticeably lower than the latest CPIH inflation rate of 2.8%, as the varied weather within the month, paired with selective discretionary spending, continued to pose challenges for retailers.
August
Card spending returned to growth in August, as warmer weather and the ‘Sweet Treat Economy’ lifted spirits. Grocery spending also saw its highest uplift since March, fuelled by a surge in shopping, particularly for picnic and barbecue foods.
Throughout August, almost half of Brits were purchasing affordable luxuries even when trying to make cutbacks, especially within confectionery and cosmetics.
Garden centres in particular benefitted as warmer weather hit. The retail sector then returned to growth for the first time since March.
Consumer confidence in household finances jumped five percentage points, yet one in five were concerned about keeping up with rising costs ahead of Christmas.
Consumer card spending returned to growth throughout August, rising 1% year-on-year, following two consecutive months of decline. Although it also stayed below the latest CPIH inflation rate, which was at 3.1%.
Non-essential spending increased up 0.7% due to the late arrival of barbecue and picnic weather bolstering butchers, delicatessens and garden centres.
Nearly half of Brits reported treating themselves to mood-enhancing, slightly more affordable luxuries. Including cosmetics and pastries, even when aiming to restrict budgets.
Spending on groceries was up 1.9%, its largest uplift since March this year 2.7%, fuelled by growth within food and drink specialist stores –including butchers and delicatessens. Due to Brits choosing to indulge in increased outdoor dining experiences, these stores experienced their largest increase at 5.1% since January 2024 5.2%.
September
Throughout September, pubs, bars and clubs experienced limited growth, at 0.6%, down from 3.2% in August. This came as 40% of consumers said they were cutting on discretionary spending and reducing drinking out to save money.
Widespread discounting and promotional activity also increased, with retail sales showing positive signs of recovery which were driven by strong performances from clothing and beauty.
Consumer card spending increased by 1.2% year-on-year throughout September, and returned to growth within August. Growth remained lower than the latest CPIH inflation rate of 3.1%. With non-essential spending seeing significantly high growth rates in the year, at 2.7%.
Essential items experienced their biggest decline to date, at 1.7% since April 2020.
Spending on groceries also fell by 0.8% as Brits continued to find strategies to cut costs. Supermarkets experienced a 1.1% dip, with growth within food and drink specialist stores significantly having slowed to 2.7%. This was down from 5.1% throughout August.
Seven in 10, consumers were looking for methods to get maximise value from weekly shops and reduce how much they were spending. These figures were up from 66% in August and higher than the the 67% 2024 average.
October
50% of Brits listed eating out at restaurants, ordering fast food and takeaways (50%) and drinking at pubs, bars and clubs (41% ) among their top cutbacks throughout the month.
Retail recovered throughout October, amid large promotional activity, this was boosted by online shopping and the positive performance of department and clothing stores.
Consumer card spending grew 0.7% year-on-year throughout October, notably less than September’s increase of 1.2%.
These figures were also noted at below the latest CPIH inflation rate of 2.6%. Growth was supported by increased consumer spending on non-essential items, which climbed at 2.1%, driven by stronger performances from the entertainment sector, which was up 13.5%. Similarly retail had its third consecutive month of growth.
Essential spending also saw its greatest fall down 2.2% throughout the month, with supermarket spending having dipped by 0.8%, as consumers’ fears around food price inflation lessened. This was down four percentage points to 84% compared with a total of 88% within September.
Other confidence measures showed notable year-on-year improvements, with general consumer confidence in household finances having increased nine percentage points in comparison to last year, at 70%. Similarly, 57% of consumers also felt confident in their abilities to spend on non-essential items, this was up five percentage points year-on-year.
November
Restaurants, bars, pubs, and clubs benefitted during November, due to early festive socialising starting to pick up.
Essential spending also saw it’s greatest decline in November since 2019, as supermarket spending slowed.
Entertainment growth also hit 10.8%, while cinema spending received a significant 22.8 per cent boost from ‘Gladiator II’, ‘Paddington in Peru’ and ‘Wicked’ bookings
Brits were anticipating a spend heavy Christmas period, stating presents as their biggest source of expenditures.
Consumer card spending contracted 0.5% year on year throughout November, which was the first decline since July.
This was significantly lower than the latest CPIH inflation rate of 3.2 per cent. Essential spending also saw its highest fall in over five years, which was down 3.1%. However, non-essential spending saw growth, at 0.8%.
This was supported by a positive performance from pubs, bars and clubs at 3.5%. Entertainment was at 10.8% as Brits prepared for the festive season and utilised cinema screenings.
Essential spending dropped 3.1% in November, with consumer confidence in the UK and global economy having also declined in the month. Inflation concerns also climbed four percentage points following a fall in October, after returning to similar September levels at 87%.
December
Pubs, restaurants, bars and clubs all saw modest increases, as socialising was limited due to the “quad-demic.”
Throughout the festive season, sales also boosted several retail subcategories including pharmacy, health & beauty, furniture stores and garden centres.
Travel continued a strong performance, up 4.7% as Brits booked more travel for the upcoming year.
Consumer card spending growth generally remained flat throughout December, at 0% yearly.
This was significantly lower than the latest CPIH inflation rate of 3.5%. Cutbacks in essential categories were also offset by growth within discretionary spending, this was supported by another ‘Wicked’ performance. Boosting entertainment, which was up 6%. Cinemas were also up 52.1%.
Holidaymakers were also booking trips for 2025, therefore boosting travel by 4.7%. Essential spend declined by 3.0% throughout December, as lower petrol prices had an effect on fuel spending at -11.6%.
Brits also made cutbacks due to inflation impacts; with nine in 10 adults stating they were concerned around rising food prices 86%, and household bills 87%.
This coincided with a decline in supermarket spending down 2.0%, two in three 64% of consumer said they were looking for more ways to gain increased value from their weekly shops to reduce how much they may spend.