Travel agents continued to see strong levels of spending in September ahead of many other sectors, new figures show.

 

The overall travel category saw marginal annual growth in spending of 0.8% in September, below August’s 3.1%, according to Barclays monthly consumer card spend data. 

 

Within this, travel agents saw the strongest performance, up 4.2% year on year with the level of transactions up by 18.1%.

 

However, spending with airlines (down 4.3%) declined for the first time in more than four years with transaction levels down by 8.6%.

 

Hotel spending (down 2.2%) dipped for the first time since July 2024. 

 

Barclays also released the findings of latest consumer research, saying: “Looking ahead, 38% of those planning to cut non-essential spending say they will spend less on holidays abroad.”

 

This came despite consumers’ confidence in their ability to live within their means reaching its highest level in more than four years, at 78%.

 

Meanwhile, confidence in household finances climbed to 74% – a seven-month high. 

 

Almost half of UK adults (44%) say they are making changes to their personal finances in anticipation of November’s autumn Budget, with a third (35%) of this group building a savings buffer, the bank’s survey found.

 

Barclays head of retail Karen Johnson said: “It is encouraging to see that UK consumers feel confident in their ability to manage their budgets, amid ongoing cost of living concerns. 

 

“We’re continuing to see cautious spending, and shoppers are consistently seeking out areas they can cut back on. 

 

“However, multiple retail categories have proven to be resilient in recent months, with furniture, clothing, and beauty all remaining in growth since February of this year.”

 

Julien Lafargue, chief market strategist, Barclays Private Bank and Wealth Management, added: “Although spending habits keep evolving, the UK consumer remains resilient in the face of an uncertain macroeconomic backdrop. 

 

“With wage growth continuing to outpace inflation, there is room for spending to accelerate again when visibility improves.”