Data from Barclaycard’s latest Consumer Spend report found transaction spend also declined by 1.7% over the course of the year.
Elsewhere, the report revealed the top 10 spending trends, one of which was the rise of low & no.
Spending trends
Barclays top 10 consumer spending trends:
1. Prioritising non-essentials despite economic uncertainty
2. Beauty and wellness non-negotiable
3. AI and tech utilised for money management
4. Experience importance
5. Streaming and boom in digital content
6. Savvy value-conscious shopping
7. Travel spending slows
8. Comfort investments with growth in furniture store spend
9. Local produce and British-made items support
10. Low & no and fitness-based gatherings growth
Furthermore, two fifths (44%) of adults reported going on fewer nights out this year.
Overall consumer card spending declined 0.2% year on year in 2025, after growing 1.6% last year and 4.1% in 2023.
Barclays head of retail Karen Johnson said: “While confidence in the UK economy has declined, UK households’ confidence in their ability to manage their money has remained strong translating into the resilient performance of categories such as travel, entertainment and beauty.
“It is encouraging to see through purposeful spending, consumers continue to prioritise the things that bring them joy, unlocking the potential for UK economic growth.”
Previous data
A previous edition of the report that covered November showed total spending across pubs, bars and clubs during the month fell by 1.5% year on year, reflecting a wider shift in behaviour among younger adults and a sustained focus on health, moderation and cost control.
It also found half (51%) of 18 to 34-year olds said they had gone on fewer nights out in 2025 while 42% opted for more low and no-alcohol drinks in recent months.
Some 48% of this age group were expecting to drink less than usual over the festive period, compared to 38% of all adults, with just over a quarter (27%) citing cost as the primary reason.
This came after the report showed a 1.5% decline in spend at pubs, bars and clubs in November, which was the largest year-on-year decline since February 2025 (2%).
Analysis of spending last year saw the on-trade had a 3.6% year-on-year increase in spending over 2024, fuelled by a summer of sport and desire for festive socialising with Brits spending an average of £344 throughout last year.