UK Consumer Activity Mixed in July 2026, ONS Figures Show

The Office for National Statistics reported that retail footfall rose and Direct Debit failure rates increased in July 2026 compared with June, while Revolut card spending held steady and automotive fuel demand per transaction fell.

The Direct Debit failure rate tells the clearest story here. According to ONS real-time indicators, the seasonally adjusted rate stood at 2.4 per cent in June 2026, up from 2.2 per cent in June 2025 — a year-on-year rise that suggests some households are finding it harder to meet scheduled payments. The ONS published the July 2026 update through its real-time indicators series, which tracks short-term consumer behaviour ahead of full monthly statistics.

The figures show that retail footfall increased in July compared with June, a reversal after ONS data recorded an 8 per cent month-on-month fall in June 2026 against May 2026. Revolut debit card spending was broadly stable, and automotive fuel demand per transaction decreased — though the ONS tweet does not specify whether that reflects fewer journeys, changed commuting patterns, or price sensitivity. The exact percentage changes for July have not yet been confirmed in a published bulletin.

For Kent households and businesses, the picture is mixed. Higher footfall would be welcome news for town centre retailers in Canterbury, Maidstone, Ashford, and Thanet, where trading conditions are closely tied to shopper numbers. But a rising Direct Debit failure rate — sourced from Pay.UK and Vocalink data — points to tighter cashflow for some consumers, with utilities, loan repayments, and subscriptions among the payments most likely to be affected.

Lower fuel demand per transaction may also affect petrol station revenues across Kent’s road network, though the ONS data does not attribute a single cause. The annual growth rate for the average price of fuel fell by 2 index points in June 2026 compared with the previous month, the figures show. ONS describes the Direct Debit and footfall series as official statistics in development, meaning the data should be read as timely indicators rather than final measures.