Cinema bookings soared last months thanks to blockbusters including Gladiator II, Wicked and Paddington In Peru.
Spending at the big screen was 23 per cent higher than the same period last year, according to data from financial group Barclaycard.
Despite higher energy bills and a gloomy economic outlook after the Budget, Brits were still keen to splurge on entertainment.
Karen Johnson, head of retail at Barclays, said: ‘People are finding ways to enjoy life’s little luxuries, and the festive season is no exception, with consumers making cutbacks so they can afford magical moments.’
Hot ticket: Spending at cinemas was 23% up on last year thanks to blockbusters including Gladiator II, Wicked and Paddington In Peru (pictured)
Tim Richards, founder and boss of cinema chain Vue, said Paddington In Peru had been a ‘huge success’.
He said Wicked ‘could be the biggest film of 2024’, with early sales in line with Barbie’s last year.
But Brits cut back on spending on takeaways, forking out 1.1 per cent less than last year.
Consumer confidence fell after Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s first Budget increased the likelihood of inflation and interest rates staying higher over the next few months.
There was a 0.5 per cent slump in overall consumer card spending, Barclays said.
DIY INVESTING PLATFORMS
AJ Bell
AJ Bell
Easy investing and ready-made portfolios
Hargreaves Lansdown
Hargreaves Lansdown
Free fund dealing and investment ideas
interactive investor
interactive investor
Flat-fee investing from £4.99 per month
Saxo
Saxo
Get £200 back in trading fees
Trading 212
Trading 212
Free dealing and no account fee
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.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .