Retail sales in the UK have held up despite a dip in confidence, driven by widespread discounts and a spike in entertainment spending after Oasis ‘ tickets went on sale. Consumer card spending increased 1.2 per cent year on year in September, after returning to growth in August, according to data from Barclaycard.
Discounting pushed spending on non-essentials up 2.7 per cent, although spending on non-essentials fell by 1.7 per cent.
Retail sales rose by 1.1 per cent, Barclays found, although the British Retail Consortium (BRC) estimated the figure higher, at two per cent. Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said that sales were boosted by the seasonal change and the start of the new academic year, as well as discounts.
“Ongoing concerns of consumers about the financial outlook kept demand low for big ticket items such as furniture and white goods,” she added. Entertainment spend rose by 14.4 per cent to reach a 14-month high – the highest uplift since July 2023 when the Eras Tour presale took place – helped by Oasis’s reunion tour sales, which resulted in a 35.
8 per cent year on year boost for live concerts and shows, according to Barclaycard. Karen Johnson, Head of Retail at Barclays, said: “Retail’s recovery emerged as a bright spot in September, despite there being colder weather and darker evenings on the horizon. “While shoppers’ remain cost-conscious, it’s clear they’re responsive to retailers’ promotional activity,” she added.
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