British consumers spent 9% more on leisure in October than in the same month last year, the latest Greene King Leisure Spend Tracker report shows—with Halloween and the Rugby World Cup among the triggers.
The 9% increase equates to £18 more than last October. ‘Other leisure’ spending, which includes cinema, theatre and sport, though eating out spend rose 5% and drinking out spend 11%, thanks in large part to Halloween celebrations and pubs showing World Cup games.
Greene King says the upbeat figures are signs of an increase in wages and spending power. The Tracker found that family spending on eating out was particularly high at 14%. Growth of 8% in London and the south east was outstripped by the rest of the country at 10%.
Greene King’s group marketing director Fiona Gunn said: “Drinking Out, eating out and other leisure increased this month as Brits across the country reached for their wallets to enjoy sporting and festive occasions. Halloween, the closing stages of the Rugby World Cup, [James Bond film] Spectre and half term in particular boosted spending as customers continue to benefit from rising real wages.”
