Consumer card spending in UK furniture stores rose 5.3% year-on-year in October 2025, according to the Barclays Consumer Spending Index, which tracks both debit and credit card transactions. Transaction growth also increased slightly by 0.7% over the same period.
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In contrast, spending at home improvement and DIY stores declined 0.5%, while department stores and discount stores saw sharper decreases in both spending and transaction growth. Garden centres bucked the trend, with a 7.6% rise in spending and a 2.2% increase in transactions.
Overall, total consumer card spending fell 0.8% year-on-year, slightly worse than September's -0.7% and well below the CPIH inflation rate of 4.1%. Essential spending has declined for six consecutive months, while discretionary spending remained flat at 0.1%. Barclays attributes this cautious approach to pre-budget considerations, upcoming Black Friday deals, and milder weather.
Karen Johnson, Head of Retail at Barclays, noted that despite a decline in consumer confidence, spending linked to health and wellbeing remains resilient. With Black Friday and the Christmas season approaching, she expects consumer behaviour to shift again as shoppers seek seasonal deals.
Source: www.bigfurnituregroup.com
