Socialising Britons splash out on gigs, golf and getaways this summer, new data shows

The lack of sunshine last month did not stop Britons from splurging on a good day out, new data shows. 

The hospitality and leisure industry received a boost in July as households spent more on getaways, concert tickets and eating and drinking out compared to a year ago, according to Barclays data.

Spending on entertainment grew 15.8 per cent from the previous year, driven by spending on pre-release dates for Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras Tour’ and Foo Fighters’ upcoming stadium tour.

Summer of fun: Entertainment saw the fastest growth in July despite the gloomy weather

While shows and concerts have been the primary driver, golf clubs, bowling and billiards were also among the fastest-growing entertainment categories in July.

Despite the cost of living crisis, Barclays research reveals entertainment remains a priority for many.

One in 10 are cutting back on other expenses to afford tickets to concerts and films, and a similar number said they had treated themselves to tickets even though they couldn’t afford it.

Spending on gyms has been less noticeable in July, while summer socialising tops the priority list despite the weather. 

Bars, pubs and clubs saw a 7.6 per cent boost while restaurants – though still in decline – grew from -8.2 per cent to -2.5 per cent between June and July.

And consumers aren’t ready to give up their sunny summer getaway even in the face of higher inflation, as they spent nearly 40 per cent more on flights than last year. 

Spending on travel agents has also risen 7.8 per cent over the year.

The disappointing weather has seen the popularity of indoor experiences grow, notably takeaways, at-home recipe kits and takeaways.

Spending on takeaways grew 9.2 per cent, while subscriptions rose 9.9 per cent, although this may have been as a result of streaming services cracking down on account sharing.

Despite the growth in seasonal purchases, consumer card spending grew 4 per cent year-on-year, trailing the Consumer Prices Index which is currently at 7.9 per cent. 

It also marked a decline on June’s figure of 5.4 per cent, as shoppers continue to be selective about discretionary spending.

Consumers are spending considerably less in supermarkets in July than in June, with the figure falling from 9.8 per cent to 5.2 per cent over the month.

Food inflation may have slowed but 70 per cent of consumers are still looking to reduce the cost of their weekly shop – the highest level this year.

To help save money, 35 per cent of shoppers are buying in bulk to reduce costs, while 41 per cent are shopping at multiple supermarkets to better find a range of deals.

The majority of shoppers have noticed examples of shrinkflation – when supermarkets cut the size of items but keep the price the same – in their weekly shop. 

Chocolate, crisps and biscuits are cited as the most common items, and a fifth of those who have noticed signs of shrinkflation are switching to other brands.

This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk