The hospitality sector led a boom in spending during October with a 9.6% rise in sales, according to research from Visa Europe.
The report, which says this year’s spending is on target to be the strongest since 2010, showed spending on food, drink and tobacco in the off-trade rose by 4.4%.
October’s Visa Expenditure Index showed an improving picture following September’s slight reduction in consumption, with spending up 1.5% on an annual basis.
While hotels, bars and restaurants saw the biggest bounce, spending at clothing and footwear retailers fell for the second straight month, by 2.5%, but at a slower rate than in September.
Online spending dropped by 1.5% last month while face-to-face spending increased by 2.4%.
Kevin Jenkins, managing director UK & Ireland at Visa Europe, said: “October has been a tale of two economies, each affected differently by the autumn sunshine.
“Hoteliers, restaurateurs and leisure providers have all had a big boost as the weather and school half terms encouraged a wave of eating out, weekends away and leisure activities. On the flip side, clothing retailers again found the going tougher than hoped for.”
