The research, carried out by Opinium Research on behalf of Barclays, revealed overall hospitality spending increased in value by 0.8% year on year, while transaction volumes fell by 4%, highlighting a divergence between how much consumers are spending and how often they are visiting venues.
Within restaurants, cafes and bakeries, total spend rose by 0.4%, while transaction volumes declined by 2.7%. Bars, pubs and clubs recorded weaker performance across both measures, with spending down by 1.5% and transactions falling by 3.6% over the period.
The takeaway and fast-food sector recorded the largest increase in food and drink hospitality spend at 2.9%, but it also saw the sharpest fall in transactions at -5.7%.
Additional consumer sentiment research conducted on behalf of Barclays also shows that around two in three consumers (62%) are making financial adjustments in response to current uncertainty by limiting takeaways and meals out (42%) alongside cutting back on non-essential purchases (45%) and energy use at home (38%).
Of those reducing discretionary spending, 35% say their main reason is to offset rising essential costs, while 34% cite building a savings buffer.
Across its issuing and acquiring businesses, Barclays revealed that it processes nearly 40% of UK credit and debit card transactions, which offers the company a ‘unique insight into UK consumer spending’.
The figures, which are based on debit and credit card transactions from Barclays’ issuing business, cover the period 27 April 2026 to 22 May 2026 compared to 28 April 2025 to 23 May 2025.
The consumer sentiment research surveyed 2,000 respondents in each round of research, each verified through Opinium’s identity validation and data quality processes.