Consumer card spending in furniture stores rose during February 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 increased 2.4%, while transaction growth was up 0.8% against the same month last year.

Home improvement and DIY stores saw spending growth fall 2.4%, with transaction growth down 6.3%. Department stores saw spending growth increase 0.6%, with transaction growth up by 2.8%. Discount stores saw a decrease of 1.6% in spend growth, while transaction growth was down 1.8%, and Garden centres experienced a decrease of 4.9% in spend growth and a decline of 5.9% in transaction growth.

Consumer card spending grew 1.0 per cent year-on-year in February – lower than January’s 1.9 per cent increase and less than the latest CPIH inflation rate of 3.9 per cent. In anticipation of higher bills, consumers are cutting back on essential outgoings, but still prioritising discretionary purchases, contributing to an uptick in optimism in the health of personal and household finances.

All four consumer confidence measures improved in February. Confidence in household finances reached the highest level Barclays has seen since it started tracking this measure in 2015, at 75 per cent (up from 70 per cent in January). This is perhaps in part due to prudent money management, as 40 per cent say they are finding ways to save money amidst increasing costs.

Karen Johnson, Head of Retail at Barclays, said: “It’s encouraging to see confidence in household finances reaching a record high as consumers are making conscious adjustments to their essential spending, by reviewing their budgets and setting financial goals.

“Shoppers are clearly seeking more bang for their buck, while prioritising healthy habits, and finding a balance between caution and comfort ahead of the upcoming increases to household bills.”