Britons are keen to splash out on holidays and concerts this year while turning to second-hand shops to make ends meet
Britons will be happy to splash out on holidays and concerts this year – but plan to turn to second-hand shops to make ends meet, fresh research reveals. Short-term experiences top Britons’ spending lists in 2026, trumping big ticket items like buying a house or a car, according to a Nationwide Building Society survey. It found long-haul holidays, festivals, concerts and wellness experiences dominate the wish lists of more than four in ten people as households hunt for ‘affordable’ treats. However, this anticipated surge in leisure spending is expected to dampen outlooks for the already subdued high street, as consumers also look to save cash on clothing and food bills.
Holiday spending is set to soar in 2026 as consumers prioritise short-term treats
Holiday spending is set to soar in 2026 as consumers prioritise short-term treats. Nationwide, which polled 1,200 people, revealed 35 per cent say they are prioritising longer holidays this year. On average, consumers plan to shell out a cool £5,517 for longer trips and £2,348 on shorter weekends away. Expensive gyms, spa treatments and therapy are also set to eat into consumers’ pockets this year amid a surging interest in social media wellness trends. Plus, rising ticket prices aren’t deterring spends on concerts and festivals with 19 per cent putting this at the top of their 2026 wish list. Meanwhile, some 27 per cent of households are delaying a big purchase like a car or home renovation.
Cost of living worries weigh on households as high street braces for a tougher year
Households are still feeling their purses being pinched as some 54 per cent of households are worried about the continuing rise in the cost of living. Roisin Currie, chief executive at Greggs, warned consumer confidence remains ‘subdued’. And droves of these households will be forced to slash spending on eating out and clothing to afford these expensive experiences – likely another nail in the coffin for the dying high street. The report came as the boss of Tesco said droves of its customers are still ‘counting every penny’. ‘There's no doubt that consumer sentiment is mixed…you are seeing consumers whose households are in pretty good shape and then you're seeing a lot of people that are really counting every penny,’ said Tesco chief executive Ken Murphy. Three in ten are planning to cut back spending on eating out and almost one in four plan to cook at home to save money, Nationwide said. One in four are even planning to shop for more second-hand items as the price of brand-new goods continues to climb. Associated British Foods - owner of clothing behemoth Primark - yesterday revealed the cut-price retailer suffered weak sales growth in the 16 weeks to January 3 amid a ‘challenging’ environment. Shares in the London-listed company fell by more than 10 per cent on the open. Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence. Terms and conditions apply on all offers.
