Credit and debit card spending up in March

Data from Barclaycard Global Payment Acceptance shows spending on credit and debit cards in March was up 9.2% compared to March 2009.  This continues the positive trend highlighted in February (up 7.1% year on year). 

On a month-by-month basis, credit and debit card spending was up 18% for high street and online spending in March compared to February.  This jump reflects the traditional trend of spending increasing as household finances recover after Christmas.

Commenting on the data, Stuart Neal, Head of UK Payment Acceptance said: "We've seen another month of increased retail card spending as household budgets start to recover after Christmas.  It's good news for our retailers and I'd expect to see more increases in card spending into the middle of the year."

The Barclaycard Retail Card Spending Index is the most comprehensive index of its kind and is based on spending on all credit and debit cards across a wide range of retail sectors, at retailers that use Barclaycard to process their credit and debit card transactions - about a third of UK businesses.