The theatrical releases of Barbie and Oppenheimer helped enhance shopper spending on leisure this summer time, new figures present.

Spending in cinemas surged by 101% within the 4 weeks to 18 August following the discharge of the blockbuster movies, in accordance with shopper card knowledge from Barclays.

The financial institution stated it contributed to leisure gross sales general through the interval leaping 12% year-on-year - greater than in some other sector in whole - whereas the journey and sweetness industries additionally reported robust progress.

The figures again up claims from cinema chains that the 2 motion pictures had a serious impression on field workplace receipts within the UK as filmgoers flocked to observe the titles - jokingly given the mixed nickname 'Barbenheimer' in recognition of their simultaneous launch however sharply contrasting subject material.

However Barclays stated shopper card spending through the interval was up solely 2.8% general - down on the earlier interval's determine of 4% in late June and into mid-July.

The whole was dragged down by a decline in clothes and electronics gross sales, whereas excessive road spending was additionally dampened by disappointing moist climate through the summer time holidays peak.

Supermarkets, and food and drinks specialist shops, noticed weaker spending progress - of 4.5% and 4.9% respectively - in comparison with final month, whereas basic retailers skilled a 5.3% rise in gross sales.

Spending on airways rocketed by 32.1% - however the journey trade general reported progress of 10.7%.

Barclays stated the figures urged that Brits had been prioritising "memories over material things", whereas slicing again on different non-essentials resembling takeaways and consuming out, amid excessive payments, inflation and the looming prospect of Christmas.

Esme Harwood, a director on the financial institution, stated: "The rainy weather impacted high street and hospitality venues in August, but Brits were still keen to spend on memorable summer experiences.

"The large Box Office success of Barbie and Oppenheimer meant leisure loved one other robust month, whereas holidays overseas boosted worldwide journey and pharmacy, well being and sweetness shops."

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A consumer confidence survey by Barclays also found that 52% of adults had noticed that some of their usual food and drink product purchases had reduced in quality and yet still cost the same or more as before - a phenomenon dubbed "skimpflation".

Meanwhile, separate knowledge from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and accountancy agency KPMG pointed in direction of a greater end result for outlets, with whole retail gross sales rising by 4.1% in August in comparison with the yr earlier than.

It marks a sharp enchancment on July's determine of 1.5% and was additionally an increase on the three-month common of three.6%. However researchers cautioned the gross sales figures aren't adjusted for inflation.

The report, launched on Tuesday, additionally reported a powerful efficiency for well being and sweetness shops. But web retailers skilled one other decline, with a 3% year-on-year fall in on-line gross sales.

It got here after the shopper value index (CPI) of inflation fell to six.8% within the yr to July. However costs for some merchandise stay a stretch for a lot of customers - together with for meals, which official figures report are nonetheless seven occasions increased than a yr in the past.

BRC chief government Helen Dickinson stated: "Retail sales in August improved, particularly on July's poor performance.

"Sale of non-food merchandise had their finest month since February, significantly for well being and sweetness merchandise as retailers continued to put money into new, thrilling manufacturers, and prospects splurged on self-care.

"The sales figures reflected the improvement in consumer confidence in August, and retailers hope this general upwards trend will carry on."

She added: "Easing inflation will certainly be welcomed by consumers, but as the rate of price rises falls, so will the extra spending needed by consumers. As a result, sales growth may fall in the coming months, even if volume growth does not.

"Furthermore, excessive rates of interest and excessive winter power payments will put strain on many households to spend cautiously."

Content Source: information.sky.com