Consumer card spending in furniture stores fell slightly during December when compared to last year, says new data from Barclays.

According to the latest Barclays Consumer Spending Index, which includes both debit and credit cards, furniture store spending growth decreased 0.7%, while transaction growth was down 0.2% against the same month last year.

Home improvement and DIY stores saw spending growth decline -6.4%, with transaction growth down -9.7%. Department stores saw spending growth decrease -7.3%, with transaction growth down by -5.9%.

Discount stores saw a decrease of -6.5% in spend growth, while transaction growth was down -8.8%, and garden centres experienced an increase of 2.5% in spend growth, while an uptick of -1.7% in transaction growth.

Overall, growth in consumer card spending decreased –1.7 per cent year-on-year in December, a further decline from November (-1.1 per cent) and considerably less than the latest CPIH inflation rate of 3.5 per cent. It marked the greatest annual fall in spending since February 2021 (-9.5 per cent), as consumers continue to combat rising costs by making and planning cutbacks.

Consumer confidence showed signs of recovery, with confidence in household finances rising to 66 per cent (up from 64 per cent in November and 63 per cent in October) albeit below 2025’s average of 70 per cent. Similarly, consumers are regaining confidence in their job security and ability to spend on non-essentials, which both improved three percentage points month-on-month, to 46 per cent and 55 per cent respectively. Confidence in the UK economy grew to 24 per cent, after remaining subdued at 22 per cent in both October and November.

Karen Johnson, Head of Retail at Barclays, said: “Despite there being encouraging signs that consumer confidence is recovering, shoppers will undoubtedly pay increasing attention to value for money in 2026, as many look to loyalty schemes and budget supermarkets. Meanwhile the New Year has brought with it a renewed focus on both financial and physical wellbeing, which will result in more considered and conscientious spending. Wellness, beauty and fitness will all benefit from this shift in priorities in 2026 and beyond.”