Consumer card spending rose 15.4% in August compared to the same period in 2019 before the pandemic.
Barclaycard’s data, which looks at almost 50% of credit and debit card transactions nationwide, reveals how the late summer stages have boosted the economy.
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The company also focuses on concerns people are facing inflation levels and rethinks spending.
Expenses on essential items increased 14.5% in August compared to the same period in 2019. This was strengthened by spending at specialty stores, which rose 15.2% and 76.9% respectively, at supermarkets and food and drink specialty stores.
Non-essential items rose 15.9% – the biggest jump before the first national lockdown, ahead of July 10.4% – Consumers socialize, UK holidays, and return to school / return to school I continued to spend more. Office supplies.
The summer social boom also had a positive impact on entertainment such as theaters, festivals and theme park tickets. This reached a new high of 24.2%, but taxi and fuel spending also increased to 20.6% and 7.2%, respectively.
With the gradually returning of workers to UK offices, parents are giving retailers something to be welcomed by preparing their children for the new grade. Clothing has risen for the fourth straight month, reaching 33.5% growth online, reaching 12.8% overall.
Department stores also benefited, recording a 4.4% increase, marking the second month since the start of the pandemic. This was the first photo in May of this year (+8.6%), when non-essential shops just reopened.
This growth appears to continue as office workers adapt to new work and lifestyle patterns. Of those who returned to their office after working from home during the pandemic, 34% plan to spend more on takeaway breakfast or lunch, while 26% intend to spend after work socializing. Another 27% expect to update their work wardrobe by allocating a large budget to new clothing, shoes and accessories.
Rising inflation makes them more likely to seek the value of the purchases they make, with 30% concerned about the impact of inflation on the value of their cash savings. These fears lead to most two-fifths of Britons making cutbacks, allowing them to afford a higher exit for Christmas.
Raheel Ahmed, director of consumer products, said: “In August, I was at the top of Brits’ agenda for August. My family and friends made the most of my school holidays and welcomed the hospitality and leisure business. Over the next few months, we’ll be happy to see these things. The sector should also benefit from Britt returning to the office as her colleagues enjoy long postponed catch-ups to food and drinks after work.”
