Insight: leisure spend increases marginally in second quarter of 2019
New figures have shown that leisure spending increased marginally in the second quarter of 2019.
According to Deloitte’s latest Leisure Consumer report, net spending was up one percentage point both quarter-on-quarter and year-on-year.
The information was gleaned from a survey of 3,000 UK adults. The findings reveal that whilst consumers still said they took greater pleasure in new experiences rather than buying material things, they also spent more on everyday treats such as barista-made coffee.
One of the categories seeing the highest expenditure rises in the quarter was a habitual leisure, where spending was up by 3% from the first quarter of the year.
The survey also found that consumers spent more on both short breaks and long holidays in the second quarter of the year. Spending in these categories was up by 3% and 4% respectively compared to the previous quarter. However, compared to last year, consumers were found to be spending less on longer holidays.
The results of the study also reveal that more consumers spent money in coffee and sandwich shops in the period.
Simon Oaten, partner for hospitality and leisure at Deloitte, : “Following a strong start to the year, net leisure spending has risen marginally again this quarter. Whilst consumer confidence remained flat over the same period, strong leisure spending means consumers continue to power the economy. The question is how much longer they can continue to do so.”
The survey results also show that the current political and economic uncertainty has impacted consumers’ appetite for leisure spending, with 32% of those taking part saying they expect to reduce their spending in the category in the next six months.
