While overall UK consumer spend was down again in March – falling by -2.1% year-on-year – food and drink retailers (+5.7%) and hotels, restaurants and bars (+4.2%) were the only two categories to record higher spending volumes.

Published by Visa UK today (16 April), the latest consumer spending index reveals that “the best performing sector (for March) was food and drink, with expenditure rising at the quickest pace for 11 months after increasing only slightly in February”.

The only other sector to register higher spending volumes was hotels, restaurants and bars, which recorded a “strong pace of growth (+4.2%) that was similar to that seen in the previous month (+4.3%)”.

Meanwhile, the other six categories monitored saw a fall in expenditure compared to March last year, which Visa attributed to “extreme weather, fragile economic conditions, uncertainty around the outcome of Brexit, subdued consumer confidence and signs of a slowing economy”.

All in all, March’s lack-lustre sales – which quickened from -1.0% in February to -2.1% – marks “the steepest reduction since October 2017” and “the worst quarterly performance” in over five years, since Q4 2013.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Mark Antipof, chief commercial officer at Visa, said: “The negative impact that the ‘Beast from the East’ had on UK economic activity last month (March) has been widely reported, but this doesn’t entirely explain March’s lack-lustre consumer spending.

“The UK is in the midst ofa dip in consumer confidence and this – coupled with other economic factors – is causing shoppers to continue to restrain themselves.”