Consumer card spending in furniture stores rose during July when compared to last year, 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 6.7%, while transaction growth was up 0.9% against the same month last year.

Home improvement and DIY stores saw spending growth decline 0.8%, with transaction growth down 7.4%. Department stores saw spending growth decrease 7.4%, with transaction growth down by 2%.

Discount stores saw a decrease of 2.7% in spend growth, while transaction growth was down 2.3%, and Garden centres experienced an increase of 0.1% in spend growth and a decline of 2.3% in transaction growth.

Overall, consumer card spending grew 1.4% year-on-year in July, up from -0.1% in June, but remaining below the latest CPIH inflation rate of 4.1%. Essential spending declined -0.7%, however discretionary spend rose by 2.4% – an increase from June’s 0.8% growth – as changeable weather led shoppers to spend on both sunny and rainy-day activities and items.

Karen Johnson, Head of Retail at Barclays, said: “The summer sales, changeable weather and shoppers seeking the “feel-good factor” led to a strong July for retailers, particularly among beauty, clothing and furniture stores. While confidence in the UK economy remains subdued, prudent money management, supported by the growing popularity of AI tools to help with budgeting is contributing to a continued resilience in personal and household finances.”