Hotels and restaurants lead the UK’s summer spending splurge
Britons are splashing out more this summer, according to figures released today by a major card provider.
Spending on hotels and restaurants was 8.6 per cent higher in July than in the same month last year, Visa said.
Shoppers also spent 5.6 per cent more on recreation and culture.
It took total spending growth (not just on cards) to 1.9 per cent year-on-year, up from 1.4 per cent year-on-year in June.
“With the holiday season in full swing, Brits spending on leisure activities for the family, dinners and nights out were behind the rise,” said Kevin Jenkins, a director at Visa Europe.
“The high street, following a muted performance in June, has seen a bounce back too, perhaps in part due to July’s warm weather.”
Jenkins added that the overall outlook for consumer spending was “positive rather than excessive”, as low inflation and wage increases maintained stronger spending power for consumers.