RESEARCH
CONSUMER SPENDING - JULY BARCLAYCARD CONSUMER SPENDING REPORT
LOCAL SHOPPING UP 43% AS CONSUMER SPENDING FLATTENS OUT THE LATEST MONTHLY BARCLAYCARD’S CONSUMER SPENDING REPORT FOUND THAT SPENDING DECLINED BY JUST 2.6% IN JULY, THE SMALLEST FALL SINCE LOCKDOWN BEGAN – AND SHOPPING LOCAL SAW ANOTHER HUGE INCREASE OF OVER 43%.
J
BY ANTONY BEGLEY
uly saw a continued improvement in consumer spending, thanks in part to the hot weather and in part to the further easing of lockdown restrictions, according to the latest Barclaycard’s Consumer Spending Report. Total consumer spending declined just 2.6% year-on-year in July, the smallest fall since lockdown. Shopping locally was a major contributor to this recovery, with food and drink specialist stores – including off licences, greengrocers, and independent convenience stores – up 43.3% and takeaway and fast food up by 20.4%. These figures are a reflection of 45% of Brits choosing to support nearby businesses, with a fifth (20%) visiting local stores more often with 19% spending more than usual. The Report has offered valuable insight since the start of the year and is exceptionally robust as
12 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 17 / WEDNESDAY 12 AUGUST 2020
