Where Brits are spending their money five years after Covid

Consumer spending has rocketed since the pandemic as Nationwide reveals where households were spending – and holding back – during and since Covid-19. 

The analysis, five years on from the first lockdown, shows how Brits have increased spending across a number of areas, including travel, leisure, eating out and health and beauty. However, areas including dating, DIY, general retailers and discount stores recorded dips in spending. 

Overall spend in February 2025 was up by a 49 per cent compared to February 2021 – the height of the pandemic.  

However, Nationwide’s spending data, which is based on all debit and credit card transactions by Nationwide customers, reveals how the UK’s spending habits have undergone a significant shift, ditching home-focused habits to a renewed enthusiasm for experiences and reclaiming life outside their homes. 

What’s up since February 2021: During Covid, essential spending was all about stocking up on groceries. Nationwide data shows that people are continuing to spend even more on day-to-day essentials, with supermarket spend rising by over 24 per cent in February 2025 compared to February 2021. 

Unsurprisingly, Brits have increased spending on the things they enjoy since Covid, showing the value they put on their social lives. Holidays saw the biggest increase (up 520%) followed by travel (+436%); then leisure & recreation (+246%) and then eating & drinking out (+229%). 

With subscriptions like Netflix and Amazon Prime, and online gaming such as Call of Duty Warzone and Fifa providing a lifeline for many during the pandemic, demand has continued to grow. Series like The Tiger King, The Queen’s Gambit and Bridgeton were also firm favourites throughout Covid - and spend on subscriptions and digital goods remains a popular luxury (up 44%). 

What’s down since February 2021: During lockdown, online dating saw an increase in spend. However, fast forward to 2025 and it seems virtual dating has lost some of its spark (down 24%), with more people likely replacing video calls with drinks or meals out with their dates. The enthusiasm for DIY also dipped (-2%), as well as gambling (-2%), with the data showing that whilst spend is down people might be choosing more frequent lower stakes flutters (transactions up by 14%). 

While spending habits have changed dramatically, one thing that has remained constant during and after the pandemic is the importance of local banking branches. During lockdown, Nationwide branches were a vital lifeline for customers, offering face-to-face support when people needed it most. 

Despite many banks having continued to close high street branches after the pandemic, Nationwide has renewed its Branch Promise so that everywhere it currently has a branch it will still be there until at least the start of 2028 – giving customers choice on how they manage their money. 

Mark Nalder, Nationwide’s Payments Strategy Director, said: “Back in 2021, lockdown shaped our lives and our spending. This forced people to focus and invest in their home life – from television subscriptions and home improvements to supermarket deliveries and even how they dated. Fast forward to 2025 and priorities have clearly shifted, with people choosing to live life to the fullest away from the home through holidays, travel and socialising.”