Consumer card spending in furniture stores rose during May when compared to last year, as transaction value also increased, says new data from Barclays.
According to the latest Barclays Consumer Spending Index, which includes both debit and credit cards, furniture store spending growth increased 6.4%, while transaction growth was up 6.9% against the same month last year.
Home improvement and DIY stores saw spending growth decline -1%, with transaction growth down -4.1%. Department stores saw spending growth increase 11.9%, with transaction growth up by 8.9%, while garden centres saw spending growth decline -6.9%, with transaction growth down by -6.6%.
Overall, consumer card spending grew 0.8 per cent year-on-year in May, up from April’s -0.1 per cent decline, but still below the latest CPIH inflation rate of 3.4 per cent. Essential spending climbed 0.7 per cent, led by an 11.9 per cent increase in fuel spending, while non-essential spending returned to growth, at 0.9 per cent, after falling -0.3 per cent last month.
Karen Johnson, Head of Retail at Barclays, said: “The warmer weather and first May Bank Holiday gave consumers more reasons to spend in May, particularly on seasonal essentials, UK breaks and affordable ways to enjoy time with family and friends. Shoppers are still being careful, with many continuing to build savings and managing subscriptions more closely, but they are also finding room in their budgets for the things that feel good value, convenient or worth prioritising.”
