Early Easter provides a boost to British leisure spending in March, says research
Greene King Leisure Spend Tracker revealed that British households spent considerably more on leisure activities in March due to the Easter holiday falling earlier in 2016.
The average leisure spend rose to £216 last month, an increase of £20, or 10%, compared to the same period last year. The figure also represented a £34, or 19%, increase against February, during which many households curtailed their spending following a busy Christmas period.
Leisure spending on Eating Out saw the largest rise in March, increasing by £14, or 18%, year-on-year. This was largely driven by Good Friday weather and the Easter school holidays, which encouraged many British households to dine out together over the long weekend.
Brits spent an extra £5, or 12%, on Drinking Out in March compared with the same period last year. While both households with and without kids increased their spending evenly by £5, or 12%, over the period, there were notable differences across the country. Those in London and the South East increased their spending on Drinking Out by £11, or 25%, which was substantially more than households in the Rest of Great Britain, who increased their spend by £3, or 6%, year-on-year.
The excitement of the Cheltenham Festival boosted Other Leisure spending in March as many British households enjoyed a punt on the racing. Gambling at a Casino & Other Gaming increased by £3, or 25%, compared with February, contributing to a slight 2% increase in Other Leisure spending year-on-year.
Year-on-year, the £20 (10%) increase in total leisure spending was driven by a very large increase in spend on Eating Out, rising by £14 (18%), with Drinking Out and Other Leisure increasing by £5 (12%) and £1 (2%) respectively.
Eating Out remains the main leisure activity that British households spend the most money on, increasing its share of spend mix from 40% to 43% year-on-year. Households without kids increased their total leisure spending in March by £15 (8%) year-on-year, with households with kids increasing spending by £38 (18%).
Spending on Live Sports Events has fallen in 2016, sustaining a year-on-year decrease of £3 (20%) in the three months to March. A new trend of ‘lads who lunch’ also emerged, with 43% of men surveyed stating that their weekend pub visit is mainly to have lunch with friends and family. Interestingly, only 19% stated that their visit was to watch sport on TV, while 4% said to play pub games, like pool.
Fiona Gunn, Greene King group marketing director, Fiona Gunn, said: “Easter falling early this year saw many British households increase their leisure spending across the board, particularly in Eating Out. There was also the excitement of the Cheltenham Festival, which boosted Other Leisure spending, and the fact that the school holidays allowed many families to enjoy some quality time together out of home.”
