Consumer card spending increases 4.5 in April, as sunshine and Easter weekend boost retail and hospitality
Consumer card spending grew 4.5 % year-on-year in April – the greatest uplift seen since June 2023, and above the most recent CPIH inflation rate (3.4 %) for the first time in over two years. The Easter weekend and the sunny weather boosted both retail and hospitality, while essential spend returned to growth after two months of decline, at 3.1 %.
Research conducted in late April showed that seven in 10 UK consumers (72 %) were concerned about the impact tariffs could have on their household finances, although this was an improving picture compared to the start of the month (77 %). Over a quarter (27 %) reported trying to save more money each month to build up a buffer, in case prices rise in the future.
Overall confidence in household finances remains resilient at 70 %, while 74 % feel able to live within their means, both consistent with March’s figures (70 % and 73 % respectively). This positive outlook is reflected in the performance of non-essential spending, which was up 5.1 % year-on-year, significantly higher than March’s 2.2 % increase, and the highest growth since 2023.
Shoppers prioritise ‘home-grown’ and locally-made products
Seven in 10 (68 %) UK shoppers say they want to support UK businesses by buying more home-grown products. One in eight (12 %) are willing to pay a premium for British or local products and brands, with this this group happy to pay 22 % more on average.
Fruit and vegetables topped the list (46 %) of the British-made products shoppers plan to buy more of or switch to, followed by dairy (39 %), meat (39 %), seafood (29 %), clothing and accessories (27 %) and alcoholic drinks (20 %). More broadly, three in five (59 %) say they plan to buy more local and/or seasonal British food.
The weather, combined with this growing preference for local produce, likely contributed to the 11.4 % uplift in transactions at food and drink specialist stores, such as butchers, delis and fishmongers. Meanwhile spending at supermarkets moved back into growth for the first time since January 2025, up 6.1 %.
Warm weather boosts hospitality, retail, and entertaining at-home
The April sunshine and the long Easter weekend prompted shoppers to visit the high street in higher numbers. For the first time since tracking of these categories began in 2019, all retail and hospitality & leisure subcategories saw growth. Overall retail was up 6.8 %, while in-store retail spending increased 6.9 %, after declining -1.9 % year-on-year in March.
Garden centres had a bumper month, with spending up 25.0 % versus the same period last year – also the category’s highest growth on record – as people prepared their gardens for the summer season. The pharmacy, health & beauty category also enjoyed a particularly strong month, increasing 15.1 %.
Meanwhile, home improvements and DIY stores were up 4.0 %, likely boosted by the recent changes to stamp duty thresholds. Data from Barclays Property Insights report revealed a 50 % surge in Barclays mortgage completions in March, as buyers rushed to complete purchases to secure tax savings ahead of the deadline. Many of these new homeowners may have begun painting and redecorating, contributing to an increase in spending at stores selling DIY supplies.
Socialising in the sunshine helped the overall hospitality & leisure sector grow 6.7 % – the highest increase since 2023 – while spending at bars, pubs and clubs reached a 16-month high, up 6.6 %.
Cost-cutting continues as shoppers spot supermarkets price matching
As cost-conscious shoppers look to get more value from their weekly shop (66 %), a third (33 %) have noticed supermarkets lowering prices to match competitor offers and three in 10 have seen more promotional offers and discounts (30 %).
Enhanced loyalty schemes (23 %), product “knockoffs” or “dupes” (21 %) and an improvement in own-brand products (18 %) have also been spotted more frequently.
When asked about the money-saving tricks they had noticed more of in recent months, 32 % said budget supermarkets were becoming more popular, 29 % noted a rise in people buying second-hand over new items, and 20 % cited colleagues bringing home-made food to work instead of buying lunch.
Consumers are also cutting back on self-care to save money. One in five (22 %) female respondents are now opting to do at-home treatments, instead of visiting a salon, while 14 % are requesting longer-lasting or lower maintenance hair and beauty treatments.
Karen Johnson, head of Retail at Barclays, said: “April’s sunny weather inspired consumers to embrace the best of Britain, with all retail, hospitality, and leisure subcategories in growth for the first time in over five years.
“While the long-term impact of any tariffs on household finances remains to be seen, given Thursday’s announcement of a UK/US trade deal, shoppers are demonstrating a commitment to supporting British business, while still carefully managing their money.”
Julien Lafargue, chief market strategist, Barclays Private Bank and Wealth Management, said: “While the world continues to grapple with unprecedented levels of trade uncertainty, UK economic sentiment has been surprisingly positive recently, supported by a resilient consumer. The recent decision by the Bank of England to further lower interest rates should add to this momentum.
“Similarly, the trade agreement reached between the US and the UK should provide some much needed visibility to businesses. That said, growth is likely to remain muted in absolute terms. These positive developments may only partially offset the consequences of a softer labour market, and a challenging economic backdrop in the rest of the world.”
Overall growth figures
| Spend Growth | Transaction Growth | |
| Essential | 3.1% | 2.4% |
| Non Essential | 5.1% | 4.3% |
| OVERALL | 4.5% | 3.6% |
| Retail | 6.8% | 5.1% |
| Clothing | 3.6% | 6.2% |
| Grocery | 6.6% | 4.4% |
| 6.1% | 2.0% |
| 11.4% | 17.4% |
| Household | 6.5% | 8.3% |
| 4.0% | -1.5% |
| 5.5% | 17.0% |
| 5.2% | -0.4% |
| 25.0% | 17.3% |
| General Retailers | 6.9% | 5.5% |
| 6.8% | 5.1% |
| 7.2% | 8.8% |
| 6.3% | 4.5% |
| Specialist Retailers | 9.9% | 5.9% |
| 15.1% | 5.5% |
| 3.4% | 3.1% |
| 8.2% | 7.0% |
| Hospitality & Leisure | 6.7% | 2.3% |
| Digital Content & Subscription | 4.6% | 2.5% |
| Eating & Drinking | 6.6% | 2.1% |
| 8.1% | 4.3% |
| 6.6% | 3.9% |
| 4.5% | -1.8% |
| Entertainment | 13.2% | 8.5% |
| Hotels, Resorts & Accommodation | 6.1% | 4.3% |
| Travel | 6.1% | 0.3% |
| 7.0% | 15.3% |
| 5.5% | -4.7% |
| 4.0% | -4.1% |
| 6.7% | 8.6% |
| Other | -4.7% | 0.6% |
| Fuel | -8.6% | -3.5% |
| Motoring | -4.5% | 8.7% |
| Other Services | -2.7% | 0.4% |
| Insperiences | 4.6% | 0.5% |
| Online | 4.0% | 4.3% |
| Face-to-Face |