Barclays reposted this
In April, non-essential spend growth reached its highest level since 2023, no doubt helped by the month's sunshine and the long Easter weekend, as garden centres saw a 25% uplift in spending vs last year. Meanwhile seven in 10 consumers said they wanted to support UK businesses by buying products made in Britain. It still remains to be seen how US tariffs will impact the UK economy, but our latest Consumer Spend Report shows that potential price rises are a concern for many households. Despite this uncertainty, consumers are remaining resilient, with 74% confident in their ability to live within their means. In light of the recent reduction in interest rates and the positive momentum in many spending categories, there is cause to be optimistic about the forecast for the summer months, especially if the sun keeps shining! #BarclaysConsumerSpend
Really interesting to see the uplift in spending on British goods. Feels like more than just a seasonal shift — perhaps a sign of where trust and value are landing right now, especially with so much global uncertainty. In our work, we’re seeing a similar lean toward supporting local business ecosystems — familiar, trusted, and close to home. Always fascinating to see how local loyalty shows up in times like these.
Thanks for sharing these insights, Vim. It’s encouraging to see signs of consumer resilience despite ongoing economic uncertainty. The positive growth in non-essential spending and the desire to support British-made products reflect a sense of cautious optimism, even as households remain mindful of potential challenges. It raises an interesting question about the sustainability of this momentum: with changing trade dynamics and cost-of-living pressures still present, how might consumer spending patterns evolve through the summer and beyond?
Great summary — it looks like the U.K. is experiencing strong positive momentum. Looking forward to continued economic growth and hopefully more great weather too!
CEO, Barclays UK Board Director, Barclays US LLC
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