This summer’s heatwave boosted consumer spending across the East Midlands according to a new survey.
Barclaycard’s monthly analysis of UK spending for July showed spending was up 5.2 per cent compared to the same month last year.
The report says this has been driven by spending on groceries, petrol and clothing due to people enjoying more outdoor activities.
David Gibbons, Barclays retail network regional director for the East Midlands said: “It’s an undeniable vote of confidence in the future by East Midlands shoppers and shows they’re finally shaking off the longest period of austerity in a generation and are more readily parting with their money.
“While spending was inevitably boosted by a July ‘feel good factor’, there are good reasons to believe this trend will continue, with consumer spend staying strong and retailers reaping the benefits.”
The increasing spend in the East Midlands follows figures for May and June which saw year-on-year rises of 3.4 per cent and 5.5 per cent respectively.
This means growth in consumer spending has now exceeded the rate of inflation for three months in a row.
Pubs saw spending increase by 10.8 per cent in July in the East Midlands, due to a ‘feel-good-factor’ after summer of sporting success, hot weather and Royal birth.
Despite the statistics, the Chron recently revealed there had been a fall in the number of shoppers using Northampton town centre.
There were 600,000 fewer shoppers using the town between April 2012 and April 2013.
The fall was blamed on the economic climate and the impact of internet shopping.